Tourism Minister prepares for gradual return of activities

Health and safety controls for return of international tourism were discussed during meetings with sector representatives

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled El-Anany has held a series of meetings to discuss the preparations needed for Egypt's tourism industry to gradually resume.
These include the precautionary measures that must be met at all tourist establishments to ensure the health and safety of visitors and workers.
The first meeting was attended by high level officials at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, to set and define the health and safety controls that must be followed. These cover restaurants and tourist cafeterias, safari, diving and marine activities, among other areas.
El-Anany said that after the development of these controls is completed, all tourist establishments will be notified of what steps they will be required to undertake. Those who are willing to re-open under the guidelines will have to submit their applications outlining their operation visualisation to the Egyptian Hotel Association (EHA).
“The ministry's examination committees will make the necessary inspections to ensure that these establishments are ready to re-open when the cabinet decides that it is safe for hotels to do so,” El-Anany said.
Many restaurants in Egypt are currently operating, albeit only with take-away and food delivery service systems available. This is in accordance with the health and safety terms and conditions that have been approved by the Council of Ministers.
The second meeting was held with the Egyptian Tourism Federation (ETF) President, tourist chamber heads, and a number of investors in the sector.
During the meeting, the appropriate health and safety controls for the return of international tourism in accordance with global standards were discussed. This would ensure that the sector is ready as soon as regular international tourism returns and at the time determined by the cabinet.
El-Anany also met with leaders from the Supreme Council of Antiquities to discuss plans and preparations that must be undertaken at museums and archaeological sites. Health and safety controls for museums and archaeological sites have already been approved for their gradual reopening according to cabinet approval.