New Regulations for hotels in Egypt were announced a few days ago for Hospitality Establishments. The Egyptian Authorities started with opening 3 governorates for the new regulations for hotels: South Sinai, Red Sea and Matrouh.
• Hospitality establishments operate with a maximum of 50% of their total workforce (until further notice) for the hotels.
• Staff members in hotels coastal governorates quarantined after returning from their leave and there is an interval of at least (60) days between leaves.
• Staff members will have their temperatures checked daily.
• Separate housing is provided for staff members of the hotel, taking into consideration physical distancing, and providing isolation areas for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases among staff members (mild cases only).
• Staff members with contagious or chronic diseases will not work.
• Staff members are giving training on symptoms and preventive measures of COVID-19.
• The hotel management should be immediately notified in case any staff member or guest shows symptoms of COVID-19.
• Staff members are provided with personal protection equipment (including sanitizers, masks, etc…).
• Wearing face masks during working hours is mandatory.
• Guests will have their temperatures checked every time they enter the hotel.
• Luggage is disinfected before check-in.
• Floor signs are placed to maintain physical distancing.
• Electronic payment is encouraged.
• Room capacity is 2 adults + 2 children (less than 12 years old).
• Personal Protection Kits (containing personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, and hand sanitizers) are provided in rooms for each guest.
• Rooms are disinfected and properly ventilated for 12 hours between check-out and check-in.
• Rooms and bathrooms are properly ventilated and disinfected daily.
• Furniture and fabrics are disinfected using steam machines.
• Linens and towels are washed at high temperatures.
• Touch points and surfaces are cleaned and disinfected regularly, and equipment are adequately spaced.
• Showering is not allowed in the gym or health club.
• Use of Jacuzzi, sauna, steam, and massage services is suspended until further notice.
• Swimming pools and beaches are open for guests.
• Regular disinfection of swimming pools is carried out.
• Cleansing the area around the beach and pool (including tables, deck chairs, sunbeds, etc…) after every use, as well as before and after operating hours is carried out.
• Sunbeds are placed 2 meters apart.
• Beach and pool towels are delivered to rooms.
• Recreational activities on beaches and at swimming pools are reduced.
• Casinos inside hotels are allowed to operate at 50% of their total capacity, maintaining regular disinfection of the area and all touch points, providing personal protection equipment to Guests and ensuring safe physical distancing.
• Parties, social gatherings and events are not allowed in hotels.
• Hotels have an on-call doctor and a clinic.
• Well-equipped hospitals (public and private) are in close vicinity.
• Tourists should notify the hotel management or doctor immediately in case they show any symptoms of COVID-19.
• Hotel management is to report any positive case detected to the Ministry of Health and Population.
• A designated floor in every hotel (or area within the vicinity) is allocated for the quarantine of minor, non-critical or suspected cases.
• The hotel will cover the cost of lodging, food and drinks of the minor and non-critical cases of tourists testing positive with COVID-19.
• Rooms occupied by guests who test positive with COVID-19, will undergo deep cleaning and disinfection, without ordering the hotel into quarantine.
• Critical cases of tourists testing positive with COVID-19 are taken to the hospital.
• The Ministry of Health and Population will cover the cost of medication and treatment of tourists testing positive with COVID-19 until their full recovery.
• Close contacts sharing room with the positive case will undergo a free medical examination by the Ministry of Health and Population, and should adhere to all the precautionary measures. They are allowed to stay at the hotel with no extra charges (should they wish to).
• Tourists testing positive with COVID-19 and wish to travel back to their source country do so at their own responsibility. They should coordinate with their travel agent and take all the precautionary measures set by the Ministry of Health and Population.
• Tourists testing positive with COVID-19 can take an alternative flight in coordination with their travel agent in case of arrival on charter flights. In case of arrival on Egyptian airlines, the alternative flight will be provided (on the same airline initially booked) with no penalty.
• Queuing at the entrance is reduced by pre-booking (via electronic applications, telephone, or other means).
• Temperature of every guest is checked before entrance.
• Electronic payment is encouraged.
• “Open Buffet” is not allowed. “Served Buffet”, however, is allowed keeping safe physical distancing.
• Tables are placed 2 meters apart, with 1 meter between people on the same table with a maximum of 6 per table.
• Using disposable cutlery (as much as possible).
• Hand sanitizers are placed on tables.
• Fabric table cloth is changed and thoroughly washed after each use.
• Shisha is prohibited.
• Parties and social events are not allowed in restaurants.
• Kids areas are closed.
• Take-away service is allowed maintaining physical distancing. Customers’ presence is limited only to order, pay, and then wait outside the restaurant for their order.
• Kitchens are thoroughly cleaned, properly ventilated, and disinfected on a daily basis.
• Physical distancing between kitchen workers is maintained.
• Workers should adhere to all hygiene standards (wearing face masks and gloves, and consistently washing hands with soap and water).
• International food safety and quality standards are adhered to.
• Only trash cans with foot pedals are used. All of the above operating regulations of hotels and restaurants also apply to Eco-lodges.
Panorama Pyramids Tower. Entrance 1. Apt. 202 – 2nd floor. Al Haram St. Mashaal. Al Haram. Giza. Egypt.
