Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has approved a number of controls on domestic tourism, at a ministerial meeting held on Sunday. The meeting was held with Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled El-Anany,Minister of Health Hala Zayedm and Minister of Civil Aviation Muhammad Manar Anaba. During the meeting, El-Anany said that several requirements for hotel occupation have been approved. These include each hotel providing an on-site clinic and doctor, and to allocate a small area or floor as a quarantine bay in case .any coronavirus (COVID-19) cases are discovered. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities will also require all hotels to comply with a maximum workforce rate of 50% and a 25% occupancy rate until the beginning of June. Hotel operations will start with a maximum of 50% of the hotel’s capacity from the beginning of June, El-Anany said. El-Anany added that each hotel should conduct a prompt medical examination of their workers to ensure their health and safety. Hotels will also need to ensure the quality of personal protective equipment (PPE) and sterilisation materials. Other requirements include the installation of hand sterilisation equipment at the hotel entrance, and electronic check-in procedures or providing single-use pens for guests. Luggage will also be sterilised upon arrival and departure from the hotel, regular temperature checks of guests each time they enter the premises, and providing hand sanitisers at reception at all times. Public areas will also be regularly cleaned. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has also placed a ban on wedding ceremonies at hotels, evening activities, buffet services and shisha in cafes.The controls include the formation of joint working teams between the Egyptian Hotel Association (EHA) and the Ministry of Health’s Department of Infection Control. These will pass through hotels to ensure that requirements are met and hotels are ready for operation. The Prime Minister concluded the meeting by emphasising the crucial importance of Egypt’s tourism sector as a state resource and major source of employment.
