Unvaccinated travelers to Egypt can now enter using a negative PCR, rapid antigen or rapid molecular ID Now test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival, the Health Ministry announced in a statement on Thursday. Unvaccinated travelers had previously been required to take a PCR test no more than 72 hours before arrival. The measures apply to travelers of all nationalities aged 12 and above.

Travelers who arrive to tourist airports in the Red Sea, Luxor and Aswan without the correct covid test certificates will not be sent home but rather take a rapid test at the airport and isolate in their hotels if the result is positive, Health Ministry Spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said in a phone call yesterday with Al Hayah Al Youm (watch, runtime: 8:43)

BUT: Travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, or Eswatini cannot enter using an ID Now rapid covid test. All passengers traveling from the group of seven countries must present proof of vaccination or a negative PCR or rapid antigen test taken within 72 hours of arrival.