عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Egypt to Test Visitors from Countries with COVID-19 Variants on Arrival

An airport security agent checks a passenger, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, June 20, 2020. (Reuters)
An airport security agent checks a passenger, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, June 20, 2020. (Reuters)
TT
20
TT

Egypt to Test Visitors from Countries with COVID-19 Variants on Arrival

An airport security agent checks a passenger, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, June 20, 2020. (Reuters)
An airport security agent checks a passenger, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, June 20, 2020. (Reuters)

Egypt will require all visitors arriving from "countries where variants of the virus have appeared" to take a rapid COVID-19 test upon arrival, its health ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

The statement did not specify the countries from which passengers would take the 15-minute DNA test, called ID NOW.

Egypt's new coronavirus cases have been steadily rising in recent weeks. On Saturday it reported 1,125 new cases and 65 deaths, although experts say that reflects only a fraction of total cases.

In a statement on Saturday, Egypt's tourism ministry clarified that restaurants and coffee shops attached to hotels were exempt from a recent decree that such outlets as well as malls and stores would close at 9 pm local time (GMT +2) in order to not affect tourism.

Most Viewed

 
Arab World

Israel Strikes Near Defense Ministry in Damascus

Syrian security forces deploy amid ongoing clashes in the southern city of Sweida, 16 July 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED AL RIFAI
Syrian security forces deploy amid ongoing clashes in the southern city of Sweida, 16 July 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED AL RIFAI
TT
20
TT

Israel Strikes Near Defense Ministry in Damascus

Syrian security forces deploy amid ongoing clashes in the southern city of Sweida, 16 July 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED AL RIFAI
Syrian security forces deploy amid ongoing clashes in the southern city of Sweida, 16 July 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED AL RIFAI

The Israeli army said Wednesday that it struck near the entrance to the Syrian Ministry of Defense in Damascus.

The strike came as clashes continued in the southern Syrian city of Sweida after a ceasefire between government forces and armed groups collapsed.

Israel has launched a series of airstrikes on convoys of government forces since the clashes erupted, saying that it is acting to protect the Druze.