Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Cairo – COVID-19 UPDATES

Location: Egypt

Event: COVID-19 UPDATES

The Government of Egypt has announced that commencing Sunday, January 3, 2021, individuals who do not adhere to precautionary measures such as wearing a mask indoors may be subject to an immediate fine or prosecution. Please note the U.S. Embassy is unable to intercede on behalf of U.S. citizens who are identified for violating these measures.

The Government of Egypt has canceled all public New Year’s celebrations. All indoor weddings, funerals, festivals, or other mass gatherings are canceled indefinitely.

Starting Sunday, January 3, 2021, businesses such as restaurants and cafes have been ordered to reduce the number of patrons to 50 percent of capacity or less, with penalties of 4,000 LE to temporary business closures.

There is no change to previous guidance regarding requirements for arriving international travelers. All individuals traveling to Egypt (including Egyptians) must be in possession of a negative PCR test certificate for COVID-19, taken a maximum of 72 hours prior to their flight departure time. However, passengers traveling from Japan, China, Thailand, North America, South America, Canada, London Heathrow, Paris, and Frankfurt will be allowed to provide the test certificate issued no more than 96 hours prior to flight departure.

To comply with social distancing guidelines imposed by both the U.S. and Egyptian governments, the U.S. Embassy in Cairo continues to provide only emergency services to U.S. citizens until further notice. Limited passport services are provided on an emergency basis, which normally includes urgent travel. If you require an emergency passport please contact ConsularCairoACS@state.gov to request an appointment, and be prepared to provide proof of your upcoming urgent travel (purchased ticket). The Embassy will announce the resumption of regular customer services when resources and local conditions allow. The Embassy regrets the inconvenience.

The U.S. Embassy in Cairo encourages U.S. citizens seeking COVID-19 medical information to review the Government of Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population’s social media accounts at https://www.facebook.com/egypt.mohp/ (Arabic only). The Government of Egypt has also provided a COVID-19 dedicated hotline at 105 15335 or 15469 for additional inquiries (Arabic proficiency recommended).

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