“Total of 668 hotels across 23 governorates have so far received certificates to reopen”

A total of 12 hotels in five of Egypt’s governorates have, in the past week, received the health and safety certificate required to reopen following the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced on Tuesday.

The hotels are located in the South Sinai, Red Sea, Sharqeya, Qaliubiya and Greater Cairo governorates.

The certificates were awarded following the verification that they have followed the health guidelines outlined by the Egyptian government and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Abdel Fattah Al-Assi, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for Monitoring Tourism Facilities, said that three of the most recently certified hotels are located in Sharm El-Sheikh, South Sinai. Four more hotels are located in the Red Sea governorate.

“In addition, one hotel is located in 10th of Ramadan, Sharqiyah, and one in Banha, Qaliubiya, while the remaining three are located in Cairo,” Al-Assi said.

He added that the total number of hotels that have so far received the certificate now stands at 668 hotels in 23 governorates across Egypt.

Al-Assi pointed out that the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities’ inspection committees will continue their visits to other hotels that have submitted requests to reopen.

On Sunday, Al-Assi announced that a total of 1,022 tourist restaurants and cafeterias have received the health and safety certificate required to reopen.

Egypt’s gradual opening up comes as part of the government’s plan to co-exist with COVID-19 pandemic. Activities and services across the country have reopened to daily activities after three months of lockdown and a night-time curfew.

The ministry has called on citizens and tourism companies to restrict dealings to hotels that have obtained a health and safety certificate, to protect general health and safety.