Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has urged tourism companies across the country not to allow any PCR analysis on tourists to be conducted in private laboratories.
The ministry also called on officials from the Egyptian Travel Agents Associations (ETAA) to only conduct tests at laboratories under the Ministry of Health.
A letter discussing this matter was sent to ETAA president Hossam al-Shaer by the First Undersecretary and Head of the Tourism Companies and Guides Sector at the Tourism and Antiquities Ministry Magdy Shalaby.
Several tourism companies have recently allowed PCR analysis for tourists to be conducted at private laboratories.
Shalaby urged that all tourism companies should instead refer to the Health Ministry as it is the only body in Egypt authorized to conduct COVID-19 swabbing.
Any results by tests conducted by private laborious must be rejected, he added, in order to ensure the safety of tourists.
Egypt announced on August 20 that starting September every passenger on board its flights to Egypt, regardless of nationality, must have a PCR analysis confirming that they tested negative for the coronavirus.
A cabinet statement explained that this comes as part of efforts by the Egyptian government to combat the spread of COVID-19.
From September 1, all local and foreign passengers must provide a PCR analysis document proving they tested negative for coronavirus within 72 hours of reaching Egyptian territory.
Egypt suspended flights and tourism in March as part of measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
Traffic in all Egyptian airports resumed since July 1, in accordance with Egypt’s preventive and precautionary measures to coexist with COVID-19.
