COVID-19 Information

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COVID-19 Information
Last updated: 12/17/2020

Country-Specific Information:

  • As of the evening of December 16, 123,153 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 6,990 deaths in Egypt were acknowledged by the Ministry of Health and Population. Egypt is implementing 14-day quarantine periods and other preventative measures in all cases.
  • Restaurants, cafes, sports clubs, and movie theaters are currently allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity.
  • On August 28, Friday prayers reopened at some mosques under strict preventative measures; mosques have been open for daily prayers with the exception of Friday prayers.
  • On December 5, the Coptic Church of Egypt suspended in-person services through the end of December. Catholic churches remain in operation.
  • The academic year for public schools and universities began on October 17 with a “hybrid” education model.
  • International schools were not required to adhere to the October 17 timeline and may have a different operating status.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

  • Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes
    • The Egyptian Government has announced that all passengers travelling to Egypt (including Egyptians) must be in possession of negative PCR test certificate for COVID-19, taken at a maximum of 72 hours before their flight departure time. However, passengers travelling from Japan, China, Thailand, North America, South America, Canada, London Heathrow, Paris, and Frankfurt will be allowed to provide the test
      certificate performed at a maximum of 96 hours prior to flight departure, due to the long travel and transit period from these airports. Although we understand the PCR testing policy to require a test result performed no more than 96 hours before the original departing flight, we have received anecdotal reports that some travelers have been denied entry when their PCR test was performed more than 96 hours prior to the departure of their connecting flight. Travelers must present paper copies of the test results; digital copies will not be accepted. Children under the age of six of all nationalities are exempt. Additionally, we have been informed that incoming tourists must show proof of health insurance upon arrival. The Embassy is unable to confirm if your specific health insurance policy will be accepted as proof of insurance by the Egyptian authorities and is unable to confirm whether your proposed flight itinerary and the date of your PCR test complies with Egyptian government policy. Please contact the Egyptian Embassy in Washington D.C. or the nearest Consulate  for updated information concerning Egyptian government policies and with your specific questions regarding required proof of insurance and PCR testing timelines.
  • Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? A negative RT-PCR test is required for entry. Serology tests are not accepted.
  • Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes
  • If you remain in Egypt beyond the one-month duration of your tourist visa, you are allowed to be present for 14 additional days without incurring a fine. Beyond this you will have to go to an office of the Passports, Emigration & Nationality Administration to update your visa status and pay the fine before you will be allowed to exit Egypt. For those in the Greater Cairo area, the office is located in Abbassiya (here). The Abbassiya office has reduced hours due to COVID-19 and is open from 8:30 am until 2:00 pm. While Egyptian immigration officers may grant waivers of some overstay fines for travelers who remained in Egypt because they were unable to depart the country due to the COVID-19 outbreak, an Egyptian immigration officer will make this determination on a case by case basis.

Movement Restrictions:

  • Is a curfew in place? No
  • Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Yes

Quarantine Information:

  • Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Travelers to Sharm El Sheikh are allowed to arrive without a PCR test and then be tested upon arrival. In this situation the travelers have to quarantine until the test results are known and then isolate if the test results are positive. Travelers who arrive with to any location in Egypt with a negative PCR test are not required to quarantine.

COVID-19 Testing:

  • The Government of Egypt established the following COVID-19 dedicated hotlines:
    105– Ministry of Health Hotline; Press 1 for COVID-19 information; Arabic proficiency recommended
    15335 - Press 1 for Arabic. Press 2 for English.
    On March 9, the Government of Egypt also announced that it would provide COVID-19 tests at a cost of 70 USD for foreigners and 1,050 Egyptian pounds for Egyptians.  In May the Government of Egypt provided this list in Arabic of public hospitals in Egypt offering the test  The U.S. Embassy in Cairo also maintains a list of medical providers on our website that U.S. citizens in Egypt have used in the past.  Individuals should contact the medical providers directly to determine if they offer COVID-19 testing.  COVID-19 tests are also currently offered by private companies.  The U.S. Embassy is aware of the following private companies which offer PCR tests.  The U.S. Embassy does not endorse or recommend any provider.  Payment for COVID-19 testing is the responsibility of the individual and is not covered by the Government of Egypt.
  • AlMokhtabar labs- PCR swab tests are offered at a cost of 3,000 Egyptian pounds per test. Results are available within 24 hours.
  • Ain-Shams University labs- Provides testing at a cost of 3,000 Egyptian pounds for foreigners and 1,500 Egyptian pounds for Egyptians.
  • Prime Seed Medical–  Offers drive-thru PCR testing with a 24 hour turnaround and offers home visits for an extra charge.

Transportation Options:

  • Are commercial flights operating? Yes
  • Is public transportation operating? Yes
    • Masks are required

Fines for Non-Compliance:

  • Fines may be assessed for non-compliance with the mandate to wear masks in public.

Consular Operations:

  • American Citizen Services (ACS) is currently offering reduced appointments and reduced services. For inquiries regarding available appointments and services, please email ConsularCairoACS@state.gov. Please also include your name, DOB, passport number, and a phone number. If you believe you have an urgent need to apply for a passport please email ConsularCairoACS@state.gov explaining your situation, and we will consider your request. Please also include your name, DOB, passport number, and a phone number. You will receive a response within three business days. If you need to request an emergency appointment and cannot wait three business days for a response, please call the Embassy operator and ask to speak with the ACS section. From Egypt, dial 02-2797-3300 to reach the Embassy operator. From the U.S., dial 301-985-8852.
  • Routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services are suspended. We will continue to provide emergency and mission-critical visa services as resources and local conditions allow. We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. For Nonimmigrant visa information, please visit U.S. Embassy Cairo’s nonimmigrant visa page or email ConsularCairoNIV@state.gov. For Immigrant visa information, please visit U.S. Embassy Cairo’s immigrant visa page or email ConsularCairoIV@state.gov.

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