As Egypt seeks relief for the tourism sector, a range of health and safety requirements has been released by the government to be embraced by hoteliers to safely welcome back guests and employees, while also guarding against Coronavirus spread, Invest-Gate reports.

After permitting hotels to resume business with occupancy/capacity limits of 25% for domestic tourists from May 15, the Ministry of Health and Population composed a safety plan for resuming hotel operations, stressing that only establishments complying with the government-dictated guidelines will pass.

Key precautionary measures and operational protocols for hotels include:

– ‘Hygiene Safety’ Badge

A scheme was launched to audit hotels nationwide. This is because those wishing to operate will now require a “Hygiene Safety” badge to certify that the qualified establishments are clean and safe to ease Coronavirus fears.

The Ministry of Health and Population will also run routine checks to make sure hotels are not overlooking important preventive measures and are putting in place all the guidelines composed by the government.

– Minimal Capacity Across Scales

The hotel accommodation system must also be modified, wherein the capacity of a single room does not exceed two adults, plus one child in case of a family room.

Besides, the elevator load shall be limited to 50% of normal capacity, leaving out that hotels and resorts are not permitted to host weddings or parties, organize entertainment activities, serve hookahs (or shisha water pipes), or offer open buffets.

Hotel restaurants will depend instead on pre-set menus and wider spaces between tables.

– Screening, Temperature Checks & Enhanced Sanitization

All hotel establishments are required to commit to providing and installing disinfection equipment for all guests and workers on-site, essentially bestowing to-go masks, gloves, and disinfectant sprays.

Nevertheless, another condition is placing sterilizers and hand sanitizers on each reception desk, entrance, and exit, as well as at intervals inside premises and in bathrooms. Increased cleaning and disinfection frequency of all hotel areas are also on the list, paying special attention to high-touch items.

This comes together with implementing screening measures to assess the signs and symptoms of infection. Operators, clerks, housekeepers, and guests shall regularly go through temperature checks each time before entering the facility. Additionally, guests’ luggage and belongings must be disinfected upon arrival and departure.

– Awareness! Awareness! Awareness!

Apart from placing awareness instructions throughout the premises, hotels are required to raise awareness of staff workers and employees, not to mention lodgers, on means of preventing risks of infection. Also, hospitality facilities and resorts will have to shrink the workforce to the minimum in a way that does not jeopardize workflow. 

– Incident Response Protocols

Doctors will also be required to be stationed on-site, and they will be in continuous coordination with the Ministry of Health and Population in this regard. Their duties include testing all workers for Coronavirus when signing in, alongside looking out for the elderly and those with chronic health conditions. All hotels will also need to have a designated quarantine area to house people exhibiting symptoms of the infection.

Perhaps most importantly, when guests arrive at the premises, undergoing a rapid test to check whether they have Coronavirus is a must, with the requirement to present a medical report that indicates a negative PCR test 48 hours prior to their flight or check-in.

With this in mind, the Egyptian Tourism Federation, in cooperation with the Chamber of Tourism Establishments, should assume the supply of rapid test kits for certified hotels only. Accordingly, the latter parties will bear all costs under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Population.

– E-Booking

Finally and above all, hoteliers are only allowed to take bookings online. From budget resorts to luxury suites, many websites make the reservation of your lodging easier than ever … Here’s a list to help guests with their hotel hunt!

It is worth noting that the two-week period is to test the waters only. If everything goes smoothly, hotel occupancy can be increased to 50% starting from June 1, according to the Cabinet’s official statement on May 14.