Are you feeling a bit stuck inside these days? Tempted by the thought of the Land of the Pharaohs on a luxury Egypt tour? We’re all too familiar with that sentiment. With the novel coronavirus keeping the world’s travelers on lockdown, we’ve been restricted to conjuring up daydreams of walking in the shadow of the Great Sphinx, strolling through the pylons at Karnak, and sailing down the serpentine Nile.
We don’t mean to tease too much with these suddenly forbidden vistas—but we do bring some great news! While we console ourselves with wondrous visions of ancient Egypt tours, work is underway to carefully relax the current restrictions on tourism and hospitality in Egypt—and throughout the countryside, archaeological work continues almost unabated, providing new discoveries and novel insights into the enigmatic world of ancient Egypt. Let’s take a look at all the new developments in Egyptian archaeology in 2020, and the changing state of affairs at the government level that will help you get there to experience a guided tour of Egypt all the sooner.
Egypt Easing Tourism Restrictions
With the coronavirus spreading across the globe, the Egyptian government was one of many to enact тιԍнт restrictions on commerce and social activity in order to mitigate the contagion’s transmission. Forced closures of popular tourist sites, H๏τels, and restaurants have had serious impacts on Egypt’s hospitality and tourism sector—a national revenue stream representing some US $12 billion annually, or around 15% of the country’s GDP. Have a look at the virtual tours of Egypt.
Now, with an optimistic eye to the future and under the guidance of the Ministry of Health, the cabinet started allowing for a gradual reopening of tourism sites and services—started on May 15th, 2020, with granting limited access for Egyptian residents who are eager to play tourists in their own hometowns.
For the first few weeks, H๏τels and cruise ships will be allowed to conduct business at up to 25% of their guest capacity, with the goal of expanding to their full capacity in the following weeks if all goes well. To help ensure that hopeful result, this preliminary opening comes with a set of requirements that each business must fulfill.
All H๏τels and cruise ships must ᴀssess guests’ temperatures before check-in and then regularly thereafter to ensure that they are not exhibiting the feverish symptoms commonly ᴀssociated with the virus. Staff temperatures must also be taken on a structured schedule for the same reasons. Each H๏τel and cruise ship in Egypt must have a doctor in-house to monitor any potential patients and to make certain that all procedures are being followed scrupulously and thoroughly. Doctors will remain in regular contact with the Ministry of Health to report conditions and remain up to date on treatments, procedures, and precautions. Within each H๏τel and cruise ship, a designated area must be set aside for any clients or staff who may be exhibiting any symptoms of the novel coronavirus, where they will be treated under the supervision of the in-house doctor. Strict preventative measures will also be in place—social distancing of at least six feet must be practiced at all times and in all places, from H๏τel lobbies to cruise ship decks to restaurants and cafes. In order to maintain this level of precaution, large parties like weddings, engagements, and conventions will not be hosted at this time.
