Tourism and Antiquities Minister Khaled el Anany said all museums and archaeological sites nationwide will be opened as of September 1.

Anany was holding a meeting with a number of the Tourism and Antiquities Ministry' officials, heads of hotel and hospitality chambers and tour operators to endorse regulations for the resumption of cultural tourism activities in Egypt.

Egyptians and foreigners alike will be allowed to move between tourist cites and visit archaeological sites and museums in buses with a capacity of 50% along with strictly implementing all anti-coronavirus guidelines.

The number of each tourist group visiting archaeological sites and museums should not exceed 25 persons. All the groups and tour guides are obliged to wear face masks.

Museums should be disinfected before opening every day. Staff and visitors should maintain social distancing rules.

At most 200 visitors per hour will be allowed during tours of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, while 100 visitors per hour will be allowed at other museums, and 10 to 15 visitors during visits at any pyramid or ancient tomb.

The minister directed during the meeting to extend till October 31 the period of the "Summer in Upper Egypt" initiative which the ministry adopts to encourage tourists to visit archaeological sites in Upper Egypt by lowering ticket prices by 50% for visiting foreigners.

The minister decided to postpone all Nile cruises till October.

MENA