Egyptian hotels that have met health and safety rules required for reopening with a reduced occupancy rate to contain the spread of the coronavirus have risen to 99 hotels nationwide, after 14 new facilities were granted licenses, Egypt’s tourism ministry said on Wednesday.
The 14 newly-approved hotels are located in the governorates of the Red Sea, Alexandria, Cairo, Suez and Aswan, the ministry said in a statement.
The 99 hotels are now allowed to receive guests at a reduced occupancy rate of 50 percent after a special government committee comprising representatives from the tourism and health ministries, as well as the Egyptian Hotels Association ensured they met the new regulations, it added.
Egypt suspended international flights in March, but have continued to keep its airports open to domestic and repatriation flights.
Hotels last month were allowed to reopen at 25 percent of their capacity if they comply with a set of health and prevention protocols set by the ministry to stem the spread of the virus.
Starting Monday, the permitted occupancy rate of hotels that met the rules has been increased to a maximum of 50 percent.
Hotels, however, are not permitted to hold parties, weddings, and overnight activities. Their restaurants can only serve pre-set menus as buffet services are banned, and dining tables should be set at a safe distance to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus.
They must have a clinic with a resident doctor and must ensure the availability of personal protective kits and disinfecting materials. A small facility or a whole floor at every tourist resort should be allocated for isolating confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases.
The hotels that have not been approved for reopening can work on meeting the new rules and can reapply for the license, the ministry said, adding that inspection committees will continue to look at re-operation requests submitted by other hotels.
The tourism ministry has called on people and tourism firms to only deal with hotels that have obtained safety certificates.
Below are the certified hotels categorised by governorates:
Greater Cairo: Intercontinental City Stars, Stay Bridge, Mariotte Mena House, Cairo Mariotte, JW Mariotte, Conrade, Renaissance Mirage City Hotel, St Regis, Hilton World Trade Center.
Suez: Coral Sea, Grand Ocean, Marina Wadi Doom, Stella Di Marie, Jaz Little, Porto Sokhna, Cancun Resort, Mina Oasis, Mövenpick Resort, TEDA Swiss Inn Plaza Hotel,
Alexandria: THE G, Hilton King Ranch, Helnan Palestine Hotel, Ceasar Bay, Ibrotel Borg El-Arab, Four Seasons, Africana Hotel, Hilton Green Plaza Hotel, Grand Plaza Hotel, SUNRISE Alex Avenue Hotel.
Marsa Matrouh: Jaz Almaza Beach Resort, Jaz Crystal, Ceaser Bay Matrouh, Porto Al-Alamein Hotel, Belle Vue Hotel, Al-Alamein Hotel, Carols Beau Rivage Hotel.
Red Sea: Steigenberger Aqua Magic, Steigenberger Golf Resort, Steigenberger Aldau Beach Hotel, Sunrise Aqua Joy Resort, Al Élysée, Cleopatra Luxury Resort, Hilton Plaza, Aly Pasha, Captain Inn, The Five, Mövenpick El Gouna, Jazz Aqua Marina, Sunny Days Plama De Mirette, Hawaii Ceaser, Palace Hotel Aqua Park, Royal Maqadi, Titanic Oasis, Seagull, Shams Safaga Resort, Fanadir Hotel, Mosaïque Hotel, Sheraton Miramar, Ancient Sand, Ocean View, Hawaii le Jardin Aqua Park, Garden Beach, Desert Rose Resort, The Old Palace Sahl Hasheesh, Coral Sun Beach, Golden Beach Resort, Turtle’s Inn El Gouna, Tropitel Sahl Hasheesh, Cook’s Club El Gouna, Casa Cook El Gouna, Three Corners Rihana Resort, Hawaii Riviera Aqua Park, White Beach Hurghada, Sindbad Aqua Park, Three Corners Sunny Beach, Marsa Shagra Village, Hilton Long Beach Hotel, Jungle Aqua Park Resort, Pharaoh Azur Beach Resort.
South Sinai: Coral Sea Imperial Sensatori, Four Seasons, Xperience St George, Sun Rise Arabian Beach, Concorde, Stella Di Mare, Cleopatra Luxury Resort Nabq, Sharm Holiday, Tropitel Dahab Oasis, Nuweiba Village Resort, Strand Taba, Hilton Sharks Bay Resort.
Luxor: Emilio Hotel.
Aswan: Movenpick Resort.
Qena: Basma Hotel.
