State of emergency cancelled in resorts of Egypt

The government of Egypt is lifting the state of emergency in the main Red Sea resorts – in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, which was introduced in the summer after the army removed from power Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, closely associated with the terrorist organization “Muslim Brotherhood” (a week ago over them in Cairo just began the trial).

According to the Egyptian news agency Al-Ahram, the state of emergency and curfew were officially introduced only in the resort areas of South Sinai province – these are the famous resorts of Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab and Taba. And in Hurghada, El Gouna, Soma Bay and Makadi, the state of emergency was not formally introduced, although in fact the restrictions associated with it were in effect. Now the Egyptian authorities have decided to demonstrate that the situation in the country has stabilized and the need for state of emergency no longer exists. This was adopted by the authorities just two days before the official expiration of the state of emergency, which was to end according to the previous decree on November 14.

At the same time, the Russian authorities are slow to cancel their notorious “non-recommendations” about visiting resorts in Egypt. “The situation in Egypt remains fragile. The recommendations of the Foreign Ministry for Russian tourists continue to operate. And we also do not recommend them to visit Egypt, Rostourism head Alexander Radkov said last week. Recall that at the end of September, representatives of Rostourism after a successful inspection of resorts in this country expected in early November to “officially open” Egypt. Now they are postponed at least until the New Year holidays. However, almost all major tour operators in Egypt resumed their programs to this country in full before the onset of the autumn school holidays, limiting their tourists only on “distant” excursions to Cairo and Luxor, where it is really unsafe to travel.

At the same time, to take any active actions against violators “not recommendations” Rostourism does not suggest. “Yes, we know that most of the tour operators have launched their flight programs to Egypt,” Radkov said. However, according to the head of Rostourism, this is premature. “If the political situation in the country is teetering on the verge of deterioration, if there are reasons to keep this direction, then you should listen to the opinion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the head of the Federal Tourism Agency gently advised.