COVID-19 Information

Egypt Entry Requirements:

  • Individuals traveling to Egypt are no longer required to take a COVID-19 test. Egypt’s COVID-19 entry restrictions were lifted on June 17th, 2022. It is advised however that you have a valid vaccination certificate.
  • Most countries need an e-visa to visit Egypt, available here.

Egypt Exit Requirements:

  • There are no longer restrictions/requirements on passenger departures from Egypt.
  • 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.  While Egyptian immigration officers may grant waivers of some overstay fines for travellers 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.

Returning to the U.S.:

  • As per the CDC website: Effective June 12, 2022, at 12:01AM ET air passengers will not need to get tested and show a negative COVID-19 test result or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19 prior to boarding a flight to the United States regardless of vaccination status or citizenship. It is advisable to check with the airline prior to traveling for COVID-related travel updates.

Egypt Airport COVID-19 Procedures:

  • Travelers are required to wear a face mask at all times in the airport terminal.
  • Passengers are also asked to maintain a safe distance between themselves and others, especially when boarding and disembarking the aircraft.
  • The airport has set up hand sanitizing stations. Visitors should wash their hands or make use of the alcohol-based hand gel at regular intervals.

COVID-19 Testing in Egypt:

  • PCR and/or antigen tests are available for foreign citizens in Egypt at several private testing centers and the Central Public Health Lab.
  • Most test providers offer 48-hour turnaround. Faster service is possible at an extra cost.
  • Delivery method and cost of COVID-19 testing ranges by provider.
  • Different testing options in Egypt:
    • You can find a list of medical providers that U.S citizens in Egypt have used in the past through the US Embassy in Cairo here
    • Private companies that offer PCR tests as well:
    • COVID-19 Drive Thru (located at the American University New Cairo Campus by gate 2).
      • Hotline: 19358. Operating hours from 9AM-10PM all week.
  • PCR Tests in Luxor:

Egypt PCR Portal:

This portal is the first passenger PCR testing portal for Egypt, where you can:

  • Easily locate certified government approved laboratories and healthcare providers to get PCR tests done easily and quickly in Egypt and in other parts of the world.
  • This portal also ensures that all their partners are approved by airlines and health authorities across the world.
  • You can use the portal to book your appointment online whether traveling to or from Egypt.

Creating a Digital Vaccine Health Pass:

  • CLEAR Health Pass is an easy way to upload proof of vaccination, negative COVID-19 test and get the needed QR code for seamless travel. All you have to do is download the application and upload your proof of vaccination.

Activity Restrictions in Egypt:

  • There is no curfew in Egypt, however restaurants, cafes and shops are still required to close by 12 am (more specifically in Malls).
  • There are no restrictions on intercity or interstate travel.
  • The ARCE office has resumed mostly full operation with staff only working remotely once a week, however the ARCE library remains with visitations only by appointment through library@arce.org.

On-site regulations set forth by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities for Archaeological Missions:

  • Archaeological missions must provide the necessary disinfectants before the start of work.
  • Masks and gloves must be worn during work hours, at all times.
  • All excavation tools must be disinfected regularly.
  • The number of workers may not exceed 30 in open-air archaeological sites.
  • Social distancing must be observed during work hours.
  • Social distancing must be observed in non-open-air areas such as tombs during archaeological work, and no more than 4 people are allowed inside a tomb or shaft at any one point in time, one of whom must be an inspector.
  • The head of the archaeological mission and the inspector must regularly remind workers and mission members of the dangers of the virus.
  • The body temperatures of workers and archaeological mission members must be taken daily before work.
  • For drinks during break, everyone must follow health and preventive regulations and bring his or her own personal items. Eating and drinking utensils may not be shared.

Recommended Procedures for Projects during the Pandemic:

  • All projects are required to follow the above-mentioned regulations set forth by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities while working on site.
  • Project team members should conduct daily health checks before leaving their accommodations or meeting with fellow team members.

Perform your own health checks of the following:

  • Fever/high temperature
  • New or continuous dry Cough
  • Sore Throat
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Head Cold (runny nose or sneezing)
  • Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
  • In the event you, a team member, or a person you have been in recent contact with has shown any of the above symptoms, please inform your project director and team members, self-isolate immediately and arrange to get a PCR test through the options previously mentioned.

When to self-isolate:

  • If you have shown any of the above symptoms
  • If you have tested positive for COVID-19
  • If someone you live with has symptoms or tested positive
  • If you have been in recent contact with someone who tested positive.

How to self-isolate:

  • You must not leave your home if you’re self-isolating.
  • Do not go to work or on site – work from home.
  • Do not take public transport or use taxis.
  • Do not go out to get supplies (food and medicine) – in Egypt almost everything is available by phone orders/delivery, or ask someone to bring it to your home (without getting in contact).
  • Do not have visitors in your home, including friends and family – only allow for people providing essential care.
  • If you are sharing your home/accommodation with other individuals, while staying in a separate room from other household members, try to avoid leaving the room as much as possible and do not let anyone enter. Use a separate bathroom, do not share personal household items (like cups, towels, and utensils), and wear a mask and sanitize if you find yourself unable to avoid being in the same room as someone at some point.

How long to self-isolate:

  • If you test positive, your self-isolation period includes the day your symptoms started (or the day you had the test, if you did not have symptoms) and the next 5 full days.
  • You may need to self-isolate for longer if you get symptoms while self-isolating or your symptoms do not go away.

When to return to work after testing positive:

  • It is recommended to get a PCR test before returning to work and interacting with fellow team members to confirm you are negative for the virus. The test should be done at least 5 days after isolation.

ARCE can assist in arranging testing and pointing you in the direct direction in terms of resources for any project members, however the cost of testing and any financial logistical changes will be the responsibility of the individual affected.