Over the past two weeks 78 hotels in eight governorates have received the “Hygiene Safety” certificate required for reoperation after fulfilling the regulations announced by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and approved by the cabinet in accordance with the standards of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Egypt’s tourism and antiquities minister said on Wednesday.

 

"After the inspection committee has decided that two hotels in Luxor and Suez governorates met the requirements and were granted the hygiene safety certificate, the number of certified hotels has so far reached 78 hotels in Egypt," assistant to the minister of tourism and antiquities Abdel-Fattah El-Assi said in a statement. 

 

The 78 approved and certified hotels and resorts are now able to receive guests after having been inspected by a specialised committee from the tourism and antiquities and health ministries, in addition to the Egyptian Hotels Association and representatives from the concerned governorates, the statement noted.

 

The ministry of tourism has called on citizens and tourism companies to only deal with the approved hotels that have obtained safety certificates.

 

The approved hotels have been allowed to receive guests with a maximum capacity of 25 percent until the end of May.  Starting early June their occupancy rate will be stretched to 50 percent.

 

The hotels, however, are not permitted to hold parties, weddings, and overnight activities. Their restaurants can only serve pre-set menus as buffet services will be banned, and dining tables should be set at a safe distance to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus.

 

They must have a clinic with a resident doctor and must ensure the availability of personal protective kits and disinfecting materials. A small facility or a whole floor at every tourist resort will be allocated for isolating confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases.

 

International flights are still suspended in Egypt ever since the government first halted them in 19 March.

 

According to Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, as of mid-June the state will announce a gradual resumption of several activities, including sporting clubs and youth centres, while following precautionary measures against the virus, he said. This may also include the gradual reopening of places of worship.

 

The government will also consider the possibility of a gradual return of in-house dining at restaurants with strict measures later in June, Madbouly said.

 

Egypt has until Tuesday recorded 797 coronavirus fatalities and 18,756 positive cases.

 

Below are the certified hotels categorised by governorates:

 

Greater Cairo: Intercontinental City Stars, Stay Bridge, Mariotte Mena House, Cairo Mariotte, JW Mariotte, Conrade, Renaissance. 

 

Alexandria: THE G, Hilton King Ranch, Helnan Palestine Hotel, Ceasar Bay, Ibrotel Borg El-Arab, Four Seasons, Africana Hotel. 

 

Marsa Matrouh: Jaz Almaza Beach Resort, Jaz Crystal, Ceaser Bay Matrouh, Porto Al-Alamein Hotel, Belle Vue Hotel, Al-Alamein Hotel, Carols Beau Rivage Hotel. 

 

Suez: Coral Sea, Grand Ocean, Marina Wadi Doom, Stella Di Marie, Jaz Little. 

 

Red Sea: Steigenberger Aqua Magic, Steigenberger Golf Resort, Steigenberger Aldau Beach Hotel, Sunrise Aqua Joy Resort, Al Élysée, Cleopatra Luxury Resort, Hilton Plaza, Aly Pasha, Captain Inn, The Five, Mövenpick El Gouna, Jazz Aqua Marina, Sunny Days Plama De Mirette, Hawaii Ceaser, Palace Hotel Aqua Park, Royal Maqadi, Titanic Oasis, Seagull, Shams Safaga Resort, Fanadir Hotel, Mosaïque Hotel, Sheraton Miramar, Ancient Sand, Ocean View, Hawaii le Jardin Aqua Park, Garden Beach, Desert Rose Resort, The Old Palace Sahl Hasheesh, Coral Sun Beach, Golden Beach Resort, Turtle's Inn El Gouna, Tropitel Sahl Hasheesh, Cook's Club El Gouna, Casa Cook El Gouna, Three Corners Rihana Resort, Hawaii Riviera Aqua Park, White Beach Hurghada, Sindbad Aqua Park, Three Corners Sunny Beach, Marsa Shagra Village. 

 

South Sinai: Coral Sea Imperial Sensatori, Four Seasons, Xperience St George, Sun Rise Arabian Beach, Concorde, Stella Di Mare, Cleopatra Luxury Resort Nabq, Sharm Holiday, Tropitel Dahab Oasis, Nuweiba Village Resort, Strand Taba, Hilton Sharks Bay Resort. 

 

Luxor: Emilio Hotel. 

 

Qena: Basma Hotel.