Travellers planning to visit Egypt in the near future will need to take a PCR test for the coronavirus before boarding a flight.
New rules introduced by Egyptian authorities mean that all foreign visitors must show negative Covid-19 test results when entering the country.
The regulations are set to come into effect from Saturday, August 15.
Negative test certificates must have been issued no more than 72 hours prior to arriving in Egypt.
These rules do not apply to Egyptian nationals, who can enter the country without a Covid-19 test. Other exemptions exist for foreigners flying directly or transiting to tourist resorts in the Red Sea (Hurghada and Marsa Alam), South Sinai (Sharm El-Sheikh and Taba) and Marsa Matrouh.
Tourists can also travel freely within these governorates, but there are restrictions in place preventing onward travel to other parts of the country without a negative PCR test certificate, obtained within 72 hours prior to travel.
Egypt's rising case numbers
Egypt reopened its borders to international visitors on July 1 in an attempt to restart the country's tourism economy. Compulsory temperature scanning and health monitoring cards were introduced for arriving passengers, and foreigners had to have valid health insurance. However, routine Covid-19 tests were not carried out at the airport, nor were they required for entry.
As the airport reopened, virus-related restrictions across the country were also eased, with curfews being lifted and businesses reopening.
The country is now grappling with a resurgence of the virus. On Monday, Egypt confirmed 174 new coronavirus cases, bringing the country’s number of confirmed total cases so far to 95,666.
Those planning to travel to Egypt should be aware of local restrictions in place, which could change with little notice. At the time of writing, these included restrictions on public transport between midnight and 4am. Many cafes, bars, clubs, hotels and tourist locations have reopened, but are operating at a reduced capacity and with new safety rules in place.
The wearing of face masks is mandatory in closed public spaces, including government buildings, malls, shops and on public transport and in taxis.
Egyptian authorities may also impose a mandatory quarantine period for any visitors who test positive for the coronavirus while in the country. Find out more about travelling to Egypt here.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Blah
Started: 2018
Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and talent management
Initial investment: Dh20,000
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 40
Primera Liga fixtures (all times UAE: 4 GMT)
Friday
Real Sociedad v Villarreal (10.15pm)
Real Betis v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Barcelona (8.15pm)
Levante v Deportivo La Coruna (10.15pm)
Girona v Malaga (10.15pm)
Las Palmas v Atletico Madrid (12.15am)
Sunday
Espanyol v Leganes (8.15pm)
Eibar v Athletic Bilbao (8.15pm)
Getafe v Sevilla (10.15pm)
Real Madrid v Valencia (10.15pm)
UAE v United States, T20 International Series
Both matches at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free.
1st match: Friday, 2pm
2nd match: Saturday, 2pm
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Amjad Gul, CP Rizwan, Mohammed Boota, Abdul Shakoor, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat
USA squad: Saurabh Netravalkar (captain), Jaskaran Malhotra, Elmore Hutchinson, Aaron Jones, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Jannisar Khan, Xavier Marshall, Monank Patel, Timil Patel, Roy Silva, Jessy Singh, Steven Taylor, Hayden Walsh
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.
Eliminated after second session
11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.
Eliminated after first session
15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
MANDOOB
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