SHARM EL SHEIKH, EGYPT - APRIL 01: A hotel employee works on the shoreline in the resort town of Naama Bay on April 1, 2016 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Prior to the Arab Spring in 2011 some 15million tourists would visit Egypt each year. The resort town of Sharm El Sheikh was built around tourism however tourist numbers have plummeted after recent terrorist attacks with flights from major UK carriers being suspended and foreign offices around the world warning citizens of the 'High threat from terrorism' Sharm El Sheikh is almost a ghost town, with many resorts being abandoned and business forced to close.  (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Hotels in Egypt can now reopen with a number of strict coronavirus precautionary measures in place. Getty Images

Egypt reopens hotels for domestic tourists with strict coronavirus precaution measures


Hotels in Egypt are set to reopen for domestic tourists on the condition they adhere to a number of health measures, including operating at no more than 25 per cent capacity until the end of May.

The news was announced on Sunday, more than a month after the government suspended international passenger flights and closed hotels, restaurants and cafes, and also imposed a nightly curfew.

For hotels to resume operations, they must have a clinic with a resident doctor, regularly screen temperatures and install disinfection equipment, the cabinet said in a statement.

Other measures being taken include making guests pre-register online and workers undergo rapid coronavirus tests when entering resorts. Hotel floors and small buildings must be assigned as a quarantine area for positive or suspected coronavirus cases.

Hotels will be able to increase to 50 per cent capacity from June 1, the cabinet said.

Hotel restaurants will only be allowed to serve a set menu, with buffets and shisha still banned. Resorts are also not permitted to host weddings or parties, or organise any entertainment activities.

Egypt, which reported 6,813 coronavirus cases including 436 deaths as of Tuesday, has eased its restrictions for the month of Ramadan, allowing more businesses to reopen and shortening the night-time curfew.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has said the country would start returning to normal life gradually after Ramadan.