Hotels in Egypt have implemented government safety measures to attract domestic tourists amid the new coronavirus crisis, hotel officials said.
The strict measures include having an on-site clinic with resident doctor, regular temperature checks of guests in addition to providing a quarantine area.
Tourism accounts for almost 12% - 15% of Egypt's domestic product, noting that the outbreak of COVID-19 has cost the sector an estimated $1 billion per month.
The country has suspended international flights in March and shut down restaurants, hotels and cafes in order to combat the spread of the virus.
Although airports remain closed to all but domestic and repatriation flights, 99 hotels have been allowed to re-open at a quarter of their usual capacity if they met strict health and safety protocols, Reuters reported.
Guests must be registered online and workers have to undergo rapid coronavirus tests when entering resorts, while a hotel floor or small building must be assigned as a quarantine area for positive or suspected coronavirus cases.
Major events and buffets have been banned, said the general manager of the Hilton King's Ranch hotel in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria.
Nevine Hamdy, who used to be a regular guest at the hotel before the pandemic, returned with her family to spend a few nights.
"From the very start at the gate, the workers are wearing masks and gloves. There is no close interaction... They are taking the highest precautionary measures," she said.
As of June, hotels certified as meeting regulations have been allowed to run at maximum 50% capacity.
Egypt has reported 29,767 coronavirus cases as of Thursday including 1,126 deaths.
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