Egypt will, from 1 September, conduct PCR tests for visitors upon their arrival at Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh, Marsa Alam, and Taba airports, at a cost of $30 per person.
The travellers will be allowed to undertake the test in case they did not provide a certificate stating a negative result from a previous PCR test with a maximum time period of 72 hours before their flight to Egypt.
Ashraf Noweir, Head of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority, said the decision will be implemented from 1 September until further instructions are issued.
Earlier, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly had issued a directive prohibiting entry to all arrivals, effective as of 1 September, without a prior PCR test. The test, used to detect the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), has to be undertaken a maximum of 72 hours before travel.
Chairperson of the Egyptian Hotels Association (EHA) in the Red Sea, Alaa Akel, told Daily News Egypt previously that a meeting of the Scientific Committee to Combat Coronavirus was set to take place last Thursday regarding the decision.
“There are some problems in implementing the test, including the logistical complications for tourists who would need to have the results within 72 hours before arrival in Egypt,” Akel said on Thursday. “There is also the expensive cost of the PCR in some countries, such as in Ukraine where it ranges between $20 and $30.”
He suggested some modifications to the decision, including the need to invest in laboratory facilities at airports that can undertake the tests. This would cover those travellers who have been unable to take the test in their countries, helping to solve the problem of logistics.
