Covid-19 tests

[BB88]

Please can any body tell me if you can get a covid test at Hurghada Airport on arrival, if so would you be able to travel on to Luxor as long as it is clear test. Helpfull replies please.

[newcastle]

Yes. It’s a simple nasal swab taking 10 mins or so. $30 or £25.

Your contact details are taken and you’re asked to self- isolate ( in your hotel or private accommodation) until the results are known.

In practice, the results take up to 24 hours and you are only contacted if the result is positive...when you would be required to quarantine. If the test is negative, no further action is taken...nor are you informed. In practice, arrivals continue with their holiday as usual if they haven’t been contacted within 24 hours.

I have not heard whether special requirements apply to arrivals intending to travel on to Luxor....such as staying in the Hurghada area until the test results are known.

Generally speaking, there is no obstacle to travelling from Hurghada to Luxor, nor is there any enquiry as to your Covid-19 status. Currently, and if you are staying in a hotel, there is no need to purchase a visa stamp but your passport is stamped with the date on entry. This will suffice at any checkpoint between Hurghada and Luxor.

If you are staying in private accommodation, you still have to purchase the $25 entry visa.

[BB88]

I would like to thank you for your answer and I am looking forward to my holiday in December.

[Chris]

I travelled from London Gatwick to Hurghada last Thursday with Easyjet. The plane was practically empty so I had no problems in socially distancing from other passengers. Apart from the wearing of masks there were no other checks at Gatwick or boarding.
Before landing in Hurghada all passengers were given an Egyptian Government health questionnaire to complete. I had already downloaded and completed it . All passengers were informed that those who had a PCR certificate would disembark first and those without to remain seated.
I had my PCR and was asked for it and the health questionnaire before passport control. All staff at the airport wore masks. There was no temperature check for me. Don’t know about those who did not have a PCR who presumably were taken off to have the swabs taken.
At the luggage carousel there was a guy spraying all the luggage with sanitizer.
I stayed overnight in a Hotel in Safarga. The Hotel was scrupulous about hygiene. All the towels cups and glasses in the room were sealed in covers. There was a small bottle of sanitizer, disposable masks and gloves in the room. All the staff wore masks. The Hotel Reception told me that no one self isolates after arriving from the airport and they did not ask to see my PCR certicate.
However, not one guest at the Hotel wore a mask and they did not practise social distancing. I stayed in the room for almost all the time except in the restaurant where I found a quiet corner away from everyone. The cutlery was on the table in a sealed container. Although it was a buffet the food was behind glass screens and chefs served the food.
I had ordered a taxi from Oceanus, in Luxor, to transfer me to Luxor. Oceanus needed a copy of my PCR and passport to arrange the license to transfer me through the checkpoints. Not sure if the PCR was a Government requirement
Since I arriving in Luxor on Friday I have not ventured outside. Looking out over my roof terrace there is no social distancing and no one is wearing a mask. Fortunately the family in my building is doing my shopping for me. The good thing is that the weather is so warm after the miserable weather in England.