Egypt requires negative COVID-19 tests for airport travelers

DUBAI: Egypt will require all passengers arriving the country’s airports to present a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test for coronavirus starting September 1.
The PCR test requirement, which also covers Egyptian nationals, must be conducted a maximum of 72 hours prior to the scheduled flight, instead of a previous 48 hours, according to a circular issued by the civil aviation ministry, local daily Al-Ahram Online reported.
Children of all nationalities under the age of six are exempted from the decision, the report added.
Cairo authorities required all travelers arriving in the country to present negative PCR result after noting ‘increasing infections in some countries.’ Foreign visitors are now only allowed entry into the three coastal governorates: South Sinai, Red Sea and Matrouh.
Egypt started a gradual resumption of international flights in July, after suspending them in March due to the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
A total of 126,000 tourists visited the country since international flights were resumed.