Egypt made tests a prerequisite for entry
From September 1, 2020, everyone who arrives on vacation in Egypt must have a document on PCR testing for covid with a negative result. Of course, we at Aves Travel are ready to provide all our tourists with detailed information support on this issue – you can find out about the nuances from your manager. And in addition, we talk about the details here:
For children under 6 years old, a COVID test is not required for a trip to Egypt.
For adults, before traveling to Egypt, the PCR test should be taken no earlier than 3 days (72 hours) before arrival.
It should bear: date and time of material collection, laboratory stamp.
The certificate should not contain any corrections or damages. The original (obligatory in English) can be taken in electronic form, a copy – in paper. The original can be shown on a smartphone, and a printed copy must be returned at the Egyptian airport. Therefore, be sure to print the certificate and take it with you.
Can a test be done at an airport in Egypt?
Yes, for those arriving in Egypt, it is also possible to pass tests at the entrance: at the airports of Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, it is allowed to be tested for those who did not have time to do it in Ukraine. The issue price is $ 30 per person, or 480 Egyptian pounds. Remember to keep your receipt.
On the one hand, it can be convenient for those who have a last minute vacation and do not physically have time to get an analysis for covid before flying to Egypt. On the other hand, you may encounter inconveniences, queues, and expectations, so we strongly recommend everyone to take a covid test in Ukraine. This will get you to your destination faster and immerse yourself in a relaxing atmosphere.
In addition, those who fly to Egypt and do the test at the airport may get a positive result and will then have to be isolated in a hotel for 14 days. Agree, not the most pleasant bonus, especially when you are in a foreign country.
On vacation in Egypt: where is it better to get tested for covid
The test can be done in a government or commercial laboratory. Moreover, she must have a certificate from the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. A complete list of certified institutions can be found on the website of the Ministry of Health.
Alternatively, you can consider the following laboratories:
DNA: price – UAH 700, readiness period – 1 working day;
CSD: cost – 1800 UAH, waiting time – 1 day.
If for a trip to Egypt analysis for covid is done in the CSD laboratory, answers in paper format with wet printing and translation into English can be picked up at counter 48 in Borispol (you do not need to pay extra).
What do tour operators say?
Tour operator TUI provides a detailed algorithm for its tourists arriving in Egypt. Upon arrival at the airport, all passengers who have a certificate with a negative analysis for covid act as usual: go to passport control, then to the baggage claim area and transfer.
The second group – those who will do the tests upon entering Egypt. They are escorted to the place of collection of material for research. In time it is about 7-10 minutes. for each person. Then everything is as usual: we go to passport control, get our luggage and go to the hotels. The test result will be at the hotel within 24-36 hours – this mechanism is under the control of the Egyptian Ministry of Health.
If any of the guests have a positive test result, they will be isolated for 14 days in a hotel: a special quarantine building or floor.
TEZ TOUR decided to compensate the testing costs – UAH 800 per person for all arrivals from September 1 to September 15. This applies to all hotels and packages, regardless of the time of booking.
Starting from September 16, the operator will compensate the same UAH 800 for each tourist, but only when booking certain hotels. No compensation is provided for the rest of the hotels.
Starting September 2, 2020, Join Up will also compensate tourists for PCR tests: $ 30 per person. To receive compensation in the form of a discount on a voucher, you need to choose a “package tour at a special price” – minus $ 30 per person, except for children under 6 years old. At the same time, if the mandatory testing in Egypt is canceled before your departure, this amount will need to be reimbursed to the operator.
Another option is the standard price without discounts. You do the test yourself at your own expense. If the mandatory testing is canceled, you will not receive a refund.
Coral Travel also compensates for the Covid test in the amount of UAH 799 per person for holidaymakers in Egypt. The service is valid for those who are undergoing tests in Ukraine, and for those who decided to take tests when entering Egypt.
Also on the website of the tour operator it is indicated that those who take tests at the entrance to Egypt will have to be in self-isolation in a separate area of the hotel until they receive a negative answer. This is 8-24 hours. In case the answer is yes, the tourist receives the necessary treatment, if necessary, is hospitalized.
What does this mean
For those traveling to Egypt, PCR may cause some inconvenience.
