Get the latest information on COVID-19 travel restrictions in Egypt. Read the latest travel warnings and alerts.
Photo © GettyImages/WitR
Travel restrictions due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – March 2020
In an attempt to stem the spread of coronavirus, Egypt has moved to suspend all air traffic across the country’s airports beginning Thursday, March 19 at noon and lasting until March 31.
From 26 March, a two-week, 11-hour curfew will take place between 7pm until 6am. Other restrictions are in place including rules around public gatherings, schools, universities, cafes, bars and shopping malls. Follow the advice of local authorities as these measures become more strict.
Bus Bombing Near Grand Egyptian Museum - May 2019
On Sunday 19th May, a bus carrying ~25 tourists near the new Grand Egyptian Museum was hit by a roadside bomb blast which injured 16 people. This bomb blast is the second incident involving tourists in six months, including another tourist bus which was hit by a roadside bomb in December 2018 near the Giza Pyramid complex. Authorities have reported that the source of the explosion was from a remote IED (Improvised Explosive Device) inside a vehicle parked on the side of the road.
- Always exercise caution while traveling
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Carry your personal ID with you at all times
- Keep updated with local news and government travel advisory information if you are currently in Egypt.
Please check with authorities for more information and follow any official warnings. Failure to comply with directives from government authorities may result in you not being covered by travel insurance.
Current Flight Ban to Qatar
Due to increasing diplomatic tensions between several Gulf countries regarding terrorism in the region, flights and ship travel is suspended between Egypt and Qatar. Flights are also banned to Qatar from the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Check with airlines and travel agents should you plan to travel to Qatar from Egypt for alternative routes.
Older Alerts
Tourist Bus Bombing at Giza Pyramids - December 2018
On December 28th, a bus carrying tourists near the Giza Pyramid complex was hit by a roadside bomb blast which killed an Egyptian tour guide, three Vietnamese foreign nationals and injured 11 others onboard. This bomb blast has been the first deadly incident involving tourists in more than a year. Authorities have reported that the source of the explosion was from an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) found hidden in a wall at the incident location.
Always exercise caution while traveling, be aware of your surroundings and keep updated with local news and government travel advisory information if you are currently in Egypt.
Please check with authorities for more information and follow any official warnings. Failure to comply with directives from government authorities may result in you not being covered by travel insurance.
North Sinai Terror Attack - 24th November 2017
Over 300 people were killed and 100 wounded by an ISIL led bomb and gun attack at a mosque in Bir al-Abed, a city located in the north of the Sinai Peninsula during Friday afternoon prayers.
ISIL terrorists also used vehicles to block off escape routes and shot at ambulances which were arriving on the scene.
Australian and UK travel advisories have warned against travel to North Sinai as a result of this latest attack in addition to previous attacks on police and security forces in the region.
Pyramids Attack - December 2017
On Friday 9th December, a bomb was exploded at the entrance to the tourist area housing the Great Pyramids in Giza.
The bomb was left in a rubbish bin at the park entrance, when it detonated it killed six security staff and injured 3 more.
The security checkpoint is located in a middle class neighbourhood of Cairo and close to a government building.
radical Islamists have claimed responsibility.
Church Attack - December 2017
2 days later a larger explosion killed 25 people attending mass at St Peter's church, close to the main Coptic cathedral St Mark's in central Cairo.
Sunday services had been moveed to St Peter's while the main cathedral is being renovated. About 10% of Egyptians are Coptic Christians.
Radical Islamists also claimed responsibility for this attack.
Am I Covered for Terrorist Attack?
It’s important that warnings issued by your respective foreign offices are heeded and you exercise a high degree of caution while in Cairo. If you do decide to travel to Egypt, stay abreast of all local information regarding any potential threats – talk to locals, read the papers and news websites – stay informed and you will have a safer trip.
If you are injured in a terrorist attack your medical costs and medical evacuation (if required) are covered by your policy.
Access to the benefits related to terrorism depends on your country of residence, so go to our Help Desk, enter your country of residence and in the search box type 'terrorism'.
If you are a World Nomads policyholder check the wording on your policy.
If you are not a World Nomads policyholder the policy wording is accessible after you get a quote (no obligation to purchase), but remember, you will not recovered for this incident if you purchase the policy after it has occurred, but you'll be covered for future unrelated events.
Anyone, policyholder or not, is welcome to call the customer assistance teams and discuss coverage.
Is Cairo safe?
It's important to check the government status of the area you are visiting – at time of publication the status for certain areas in Egypt sit at "Reconsider Your Need to Travel", which may in some circumstances have an impact on your coverage. The north-eastern corner of Egypt bordering Gaza is considered a "Do Not Travel" zone.
While statistically you are more likely to end up in a car accident than being caught up in a terror related incident, it's up to each individual to assess the level of risk they are prepared to take.
For some further perspective, check out our article on Travel and Terrorism.
Worldwide 24-hour Emergency Assistance
Need assistance? Find the emergency contact telephone number for you.
So we can best assist you, please be ready with the following:
- Your policy number
- A contact number for where you are now
- The nature of your problem
- If you are ill or injured we will need details of medical consultations you have had.
Get a travel insurance quote for Egypt
You can buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world. With 150+ adventure activities covered and 24/7 emergency assistance.
No Comments