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Did Egypt move too fast to receive tourists in light of COVID-19?

Egypt received tourists from Ukraine as the country resumed tourism and airports opened up amid strict precautionary and preventive measures.
This picture taken on June 20, 2020 shows a view of an EgyptAir Airbus A320neo aircraft on the tarmac at Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport, in the Red Sea resort city at the southern tip of the Sinai peninsula. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

CAIRO — Egypt recently received tourists from Ukraine in Red Sea cities amid precautionary measures, following the government’s decision to resume tourism and international flights as of July in the governorates that have been less affected by the coronavirus pandemic, namely the Red Sea governorate. The decision comes after a three-month hiatus in aviation.

Maj. Gen. Amr Hanafi, governor of the Red Sea governorate, announced July 1 the arrival of a flight from Ukraine to Hurghada International Airport with 167 tourists on board. All precautionary and preventive measures were taken from the moment they set foot on Egyptian territory and throughout their transfers to their hotels, according to the governor.

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