Egypt's new entry requirements may see rising cost for some holidaymakers
EGYPT is welcoming back foreign tourists however new entry requirements mean visitors must meet specific regulations in order to enter. Can Britons holiday in the country yet?
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Though the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) continues to advise against all nonessential travel to Egypt, the nation is welcoming back tourists from a number of countries. However, visitors must meet a specific set of entry requirements.
Similar to those already in place in Cyprus, international travellers will be subject to health measures.
Furthermore, from August 15, visitors will be required to present a negative coronavirus test which matches the specifications set out by the Egyptian government.
A statement from the Egyptian cabinet confirmed the new rules.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly added that the regulations apply to both locals and tourists, arriving by sea, land or air.
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However, in a bid to stimulate tourism, the rules will not be necessary for Britons who are flying directly into holiday resorts such as Sharm el-Sheikh, Taba, and Hurghada.
The move comes as the holiday hotspot attempts to salvage some of its tourism which plummeted amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Furthermore, the nation continues to waive its tourist visas until October 31.
With a number of hotels and attractions now reopening their doors across the nation, the FCO has updated its travel advice for Britons, though continues to remind of the current travel advisory notice in place.
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“The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice against all but essential international travel continues to apply for the whole of Egypt,” explains the FCO website.
“The Egyptian authorities have advised that all arrivals into Egypt will be subject to health measures,” it continues.
“Passengers from all countries will have temperatures observed, will be required to complete a monitoring card with personal details, and will need to provide confirmation of valid health insurance policy to airport authorities.
“From 15 August, Egypt will require all foreign travellers to obtain a negative PCR test certificate in the preceding 72 hours prior to arrival to Egypt.
“Tourists flying directly into the airports in the coastal governorates of the Red Sea (Hurghada and Marsa Allam), South Sinai (Sharm El-Sheikh) and Marsa Matrouh are exempt from the PCR test requirement.”
Tourists can obtain coronavirus tests from various locations, though the FCO does warn that “fees vary” meaning travellers will likely have to foot the bill for the procedure.
At the time of writing, Britons who return to the UK from Egypt will have to endure two weeks of mandatory quarantine.
“If you’re returning to the UK, you will need to provide your journey and contact details; [and] self-isolate for 14 days,” advises the FCO.
It is not yet known if or when the travel advisory will be lifted for Egypt.
The UK Ministry of Transport says that the re-evaluation of the air bridge list continues to be done every four weeks.
It adds it may introduce "changes weekly, to reflect the changing panorama of international health”.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Egypt has reported 95,492 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
It has seen over 52,000 recoveries and 5,009 fatalities as a result.