The UK Government’s Department for Transport announced on Thursday that Egypt is one of seven countries which have been added to its travel ‘Red List’. The changes come into effect at 4am on Tuesday 8th June. Only British and Irish nationals or those with residency can now enter the UK from Egypt, and they must undergo a mandatory 10-day hotel quarantine in a government facility, where two COVID-19 PCR tests are provided. According to the UK government, Egypt and several other countries in the region including Afghanistan, Bahrain and Sudan have been added to the red list because “COVID-19 prevalence is assessed to be high and there is evidence to suggest community transmission of variants of concern.” It has also been announced that some direct flights from red listed areas which were previously subjected to a travel ban will be permitted as part of a ‘limited trial’ from 8th June, providing that they arrive at dedicated airport terminals. With the UK government charging £1750 (approximately EGP 39,000) for the required 11 nights in the quarantine hotel, many have rushed to return to the UK from Egypt in time to avoid…
