Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021

EGYPT

Overall risk level

High Reconsider travel

Can be dangerous and may present unexpected security risks

Travel is possible, but there is a potential for disruptions Overview

Emergency Numbers

Medical 123

Upcoming Events

30 August 2021 - 14 September 2021 Medium risk: Chinese officials suspend flights from Paris and Cairo on 30 August-13 September - Update Air China flight CA934 from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG/LFPG) in France to Tianjin Binhai Airport (TSN/ZBTJ) in China and Egyptair flight MS953 from Cairo Airport (CAI/HECA) in Egypt to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport (HGH/ZSHC) in China will be suspended from 30 August for two weeks, due to COVID-19.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 2 Travel Advisories

Medium risk: Militant attacks in mainland Egypt Exercise caution for travel to Egypt until further notice because of potential attacks by militant groups.

Domestic and international terror groups, including the Islamic State (IS), have proved that they have both the capability and intent to strike security and tourist sites within mainland Egypt, including Cairo, Giza, and 6th of October City since 2013. At least five militant attacks occurred in Cairo in 2019, killing at least 25 people and injuring 54 others. These attacks mostly targeted security forces, unlike some of the attacks from previous years, which struck places popular with tourists – including a roadside bomb attack targeting Vietnamese nationals on a tour bus near the Giza pyramids (28 December 2018), knife attacks targeting hotels and beachgoers in the resort city of Hurghada (14 July 2017 and 8 January 2016) and a suicide bombing outside Karnak Temple in Luxor (10 June 2015). Similar attacks in crowded public areas – on public transportation or in markets and central squares – as well as areas popular with foreign visitors, such as diplomatic missions, hotels or tourist sites, are likely.

In the period between 2016 and 2018, a large number of attacks targeting sites linked to minority religious groups, particularly those of Coptic Christians, were reported across mainland Egypt. In December 2016 and April-May 2017, IS militants carried out large scale bombings in Cairo, Tanta and Alexandria, as well as a mass shooting in Minya governorate, indicating that the group has the means to carry out mass casualty attacks. In late December 2017, an IS-affiliated gunman killed at least 10 people at the Church of Great Martyr Mina in Helwan, triggering a heightened state of security nationwide. On 2 November 2018, IS gunmen killed seven Coptic Christians and wounded over a dozen others as they were travelling to Saint Samuel’s Monastery in Al Edwah, Minya governorate. Despite making considerable strides in securing both government infrastructure and churches across mainland Egypt and reducing the frequency and size of terror attacks across the country, including in North Sinai governorate, since then, further attacks targeting Coptic Christian sites, particularly places of worship, remain likely in the near- and medium-term, especially during Coptic Easter celebrations. Kidnappings and targeted killings against Coptic Christian businesses and individuals on public transport are also possible, especially in North Sinai governorate.

In the wake of the attacks, the government imposed a nationwide state of emergency granting wide-ranging powers to the security services, allowing them to detain individuals for indefinite periods, prevent public gatherings and clamp down on media freedoms.

Travellers should avoid loitering in the vicinity of security forces, government buildings and other commonly targeted places. In the event of an attack, leave the scene as soon as possible to avoid being caught in a possible follow-on blast. Remain vigilant at all times, report suspicious behaviour and packages to local authorities and immediately leave the scene of any attack.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 3 Extreme risk: North Sinai governorate Defer non-essential travel to North Sinai governorate, including the Suez-Taba Road, until further notice due to an ongoing Islamist insurgency and widespread military operations.

Islamist militant groups, including Wilayat Sina (Sinai Province), an Islamic State (IS) affiliate formerly known as Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, are active across North Sinai governorate, particularly in al-Arish, Rafah, Bir Al-Abd and Sheikh Zuweid. Militants are well-armed and organised, carrying out regular attacks on security forces and government infrastructure with automatic weapons and suicide bombings. A state of emergency has been in place across North Sinai governorate since October 2014, widely empowering the security forces in the area.

On 24 November 2017, at least 305 people were killed and 109 injured during a combined suicide bomb and gun attack on a Sufi mosque in al-Rawdah, North Sinai governorate. While no group claimed responsibility for the attack, the government blamed the Islamic State (IS)-affiliated Sinai Province group, immediately launching multiple military campaigns to “eradicate” suspected militant hideouts. These campaigns have further alienated the residents of North Sinai governorate, but significantly reduced the influence and capability of the group to conduct large- scale attacks.

On 7 July 2017, at least 26 soldiers and 40 IS-affiliated militants were killed after the group launched a series of attacks on checkpoints across North Sinai governorate. In the wake of the attack, the government imposed a security cordon around Rafah, launched security operations across North Sinai governorate and heightened security along the Egypt-Gaza border. Additionally, the government extended an existing curfew, first imposed on 25 October 2014. The curfew, which runs from 19:00 to 06:00 local time (17:00-04:00 GMT) applies in Rafah, border areas with Israel and Gaza, al-Owagla north of Hasna, Mount Helal (Jabal al-Halāl), the coastline west of al-Arish that stretches to the Palestinian Rafah, and all the areas connecting them to one another. The movement of vehicles is also restricted overnight in al-Arish daily from 01:00 to 05:00 local time (23:00-03:00 GMT).

The Egyptian military is actively engaged in operations, which include airstrikes, shelling and raids, against suspected militant positions. It also frequently suspends telecommunication services and cleared a five-kilometre (3.1 miles) buffer zone along the border with Gaza. Foreign nationals and mainland Egyptians are not allowed entry into the North Sinai without government permission.

For essential travel, inform your embassy and Egyptian officials of plans to travel to North Sinai. Anticipate bolstered security, additional checkpoints and travel restrictions. Comply with all orders from local authorities and security personnel; curfew violators have reportedly been shot dead by security forces in several instances. Consider hiring a local guide from Bedouin tribes living in North Sinai and/or personal security protection.

Context: On 2 November 2019, the Islamic State affiliate group in North Sinai pledged allegiance to Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, Islamic State’s new Caliph following the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. In January, the group urged its supporters to attack Israel and, in previous months, they called for attacks on the Egyptian government, Coptic Christians and Sufi Muslims across the

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 4 country.

Extreme risk: Western Desert region Defer non-essential travel to the Western Desert region, excluding the Siwa Oasis, until further notice, due to ongoing military operations targeting sporadic militant activity and criminal groups.

The rise of Islamic State (IS)-affiliated and al-Qaeda-linked militias in Libya has led to an increased military deployment and the creation of closed military zones in the Western Desert region, particularly along the Egypt-Libya border. Tensions in the area have increased significantly since the February 2015 execution of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya, followed by progressively deeper raids into Egypt by IS-affiliated and al-Qaeda-linked fighters. Since 2017, the military has been carrying out airstrikes and ambushes almost daily across the desert, mostly targeting smugglers dealing in drugs and weapons, among other things. These operations have also targeted suspected militant hideouts and camps linked to Libyan groups. Despite drastically reducing the capability of militants to conduct attacks on areas near the Western Desert in Minya and the outskirts of Cairo, which peaked in 2017-2018, military operations in the area remain ongoing and the risk of being caught in raids remains high for locals and visitors.

In early July 2017, at least three civilians were killed after the Egyptian military mistakenly carried out an airstrike on a building site near the Bahariya Oasis. On 13 September 2015, 12 people were killed, including eight Mexican nationals, and 10 injured, after Egyptian military gunships mistakenly fired on their convoy near the Bahariya Oasis, while in pursuit of reported IS militants; there was reportedly confusion over whether the tourists were in a closed military zone. Both incidents highlight the volatile security situation in western Egypt, with IS and the government’s military response posing an increasing risk to foreign travellers and local residents. The July 2015 kidnapping - and subsequent execution - of a Croatian national from the Cairo metropolitan area, bordering on the Western Desert region, by an IS-affiliated group highlights the risk to foreign nationals of targeted kidnapping. Foreign travellers also represent a high-value target for criminal groups and opportunistic kidnappers.

Reconsider travel to the Siwa Oasis because, even though it is relatively safe and regularly frequented by foreign tourists due to the high military presence in the area and strong security coordination with its tribes, it is only accessible by road and the area surrounding the oasis suffers from the same security threats that are present elsewhere in the Western Desert.

For essential travel, inform your embassy and Egyptian officials of plans to travel to this region. Anticipate bolstered security, additional checkpoints and travel restrictions; comply with all orders from local authorities and security personnel. Consider hiring a local guide and/or personal security protection.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 5 High risk: South Sinai governorate Reconsider travel to South Sinai governorate, excluding Sharm el-Sheikh, until further notice due to risk of spillover violence from an ongoing Islamist insurgency and military operations in the neighboring North Sinai.

Islamist militant groups, including Wilayat Sina, an Islamic State (IS)-affiliate formerly known as Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, are active across South Sinai governorate, and are engaged in an ongoing offensive against government security forces in North Sinai. Having suffered significant territorial and personnel losses in North Sinai governorate due to an intense military campaign that began in 2017, the group announced in April 2019 its intention to expand its campaign against Egyptian government personnel and infrastructure, as well as religious minorities and foreigners, in South Sinai, where security measures have long been extremely tight. Despite the announcement, the group has since failed to conduct any attacks in the south since February 2019, when two of its militants exchanged fire with soldiers near Ayun Musa. The militants were killed and three soldiers were wounded in the attack.

From January 2017 travellers travelling to destinations in the Sinai Peninsula via the Ahmed Hamdi tunnel are required to present evidence of a hotel booking or property rental/ownership agreement in order to enter the peninsula.

Inform your embassy and Egyptian officials of plans to travel to South Sinai. Limit exposure near prominent commercial establishments, government buildings, security personnel and diplomatic infrastructure. Anticipate bolstered security, additional checkpoints and travel restrictions. Comply with all orders from local authorities and security personnel. For overland travel, travel in convoy.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 6 Summary

Egypt is a High Risk destination: reconsider travel. High Risk locations can be dangerous and may present unexpected security risks. Travel is possible, but there is a potential for severe or widespread disruptions.

Covid-19 High Risk Egypt, the Arab world's most populous country, has registered the second highest COVID-19 death toll in Africa since the outbreak began. Several villages in governorates that are popular with tourists or are home to regular travellers who work or reside in Italy and other European countries, such as Luxor, Aswan and Damietta, have previously been under lockdown, but Cairo and Giza remain the worst-hit areas. Hundreds of new cases continue to be detected on a daily basis and tighter restrictions cannot be ruled out.

Political Instability Medium Risk The military-dominated government of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, backed by the oil-rich Persian Gulf and the West, has a secure hold over power that is unlikely to be meaningfully challenged in the medium-term despite its famously heavy-handed anti-democratic practices and failure to address the causes of the 2011 uprising: widespread poverty, social inequality, police brutality and official corruption. Extremist Islamist violence and enduring public support for the Muslim Brotherhood and el-Sisi’s flagging popularity are the main threat to political stability.

Conflict High Risk Most political violence is limited to El-Arish and other parts North Sinai and to areas along the border with war-torn Libya in the Western Desert, where Islamist extremists continue to operate despite suffering major losses since 2018 following violent security campaigns. Most fighters are Egyptians who were radicalised after the 2013 military overthrow of an Islamist president and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) or al-Qaeda. Mainland attacks have decreased since 2018; border tensions with neighbouring Israel, Gaza Strip and the government of eastern Libya are low due to recent improvements in political ties.

Terrorism High Risk Islamist extremist groups in North Sinai have regularly targeted religious minorities and civilians seen as sympathetic to the government. In 2013-2018, prior to the tightening of security nationwide, these groups successfully launched several devastating attacks on Christians and minor ones against tourists in Cairo, Luxor and Alexandria. Low-intensity communal violence against Christians persists in Minya and other rural governorates, however.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 7 Unrest Medium Risk Since August 2013, when security forces killed over 800 protesters and injured thousands who were denouncing the military overthrow of an Islamist president in Cairo, protests were banned. The few that have since taken place were small, sporadic and swiftly dispersed by security forces, which have maintained a strong presence in Tahrir Square and all areas associated with the 2011-2013 protests. Sexual harassment and assault against women and foreigners are common in protests.

Crime Medium Risk Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are the crimes travellers are most likely to experience. Women travellers face a risk of sexual harassment in public spaces, including in hotels during off-season in Cairo and Hurghada. Kidnappings are rare, but scams are common in tourist areas. Following 2011, there was an uptick in home invasions and carjackings in Cairo’s satellite cities, including Rehab and New Cairo, which has since dissipated. Despite being hampered by bureaucracy, police response to complaints by foreigners, particularly Westerners, tends to be swift.

Natural and Environmental Low Risk Natural disasters are rare in Egypt, but sandstorms are common from February to June. These storms can severely reduce visibility and impact driving conditions. Light rainfall occurs a handful of times during winter and fall seasons, but it tends to trigger floods across the country, including in Cairo and Alexandria, due to poor road infrastructure. Emergency services and disaster management response is quick in most cities, but poor in rural areas. Environmental regulations are poorly enforced nationwide.

Health and Medical Medium Risk Private healthcare facilities in Cairo, Alexandria and Sharm el-Sheikh tend to be of high quality, with modern equipment, good infection control and English-speaking staff. Public facilities are often short on equipment and drugs and staffed by poorly trained doctors and nurses, who face frequent accusations of negligence. Hospitals in rural areas are particularly notorious. Emergency services, while readily available, can be seriously disrupted by the high levels of traffic in urban areas.

Local Travel Medium Risk Overland travel across Egypt is hampered by reckless driving and poor road conditions, which are prevalent even in high-income areas in Cairo. Public transport, including buses, and taxis are cheap and available, but carry a heightened risk of petty theft and sexual harassment. Travellers are advised to avoid travel by train south of Cairo as those train stations suffer from negligence and deadly accidents are common there. Despite overcrowding, metro services in Cairo are fast and safe, as is the country’s network for domestic air travel.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 8 Political Overview : Medium Risk

Incumbent President el-Sisi secured a second term in the March 2018 presidential elections with 97 percent of the votes in a virtually uncontested election. Sisi came to power in the March 2014 presidential elections after receiving over 93 percent of the vote, following a long military career and a two-year period as Minister of Defence under former President Mohamed Morsi from August 2012 to March 2014. Following the recent 2018 elections, Sisi’s government remains confronted with the task of combating the threat posed by militant groups, whether frequent clashes with security forces or high-impact terrorist attacks, as well as dealing with internal and external economic pressures and maintaining control of the internal political and security establishment.

Attacks have continued regularly despite the government’s intensified counter-terrorism campaign. Islamic State (IS)-affiliated terrorist groups have carried out frequent attacks targeting government personnel, security forces and civilians in North Sinai as well as claiming responsibility for attacks in South Sinai, Cairo, the Western Desert and Nile Delta cities. In November 2017, a suspected IS- affiliated group killed over 300 people during an attack on the al-Rawda mosque in the North Sinai governorate. The downing of a Russian Kogalymavia passenger plane carrying 224 people while en route from Sharm el-Sheikh Airport (SSH/HESH) to St Petersburg, Russia, by IS-affiliated militants in 2015, and attacks at popular tourist destinations in mainland Egypt such as the series of bombings carried out on a road near the Giza pyramids in January 2016, highlight the ongoing security challenges facing the country. In addition to posing a significant threat to security in the near- and medium-term, continued high-profile attacks combined with regular clashes between militants and security forces are likely to undermine the government’s rule and threaten to erode support for the current government and military establishment in the long-term.

As tourism accounts for roughly 10 percent of the Egyptian economy and employs tens of thousands, the aforementioned attacks, with their focus on high-profile tourist destinations, have also severely hampered the government’s attempts to attract tourists and bolster the economy. Propped up by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other international donors, the economic situation is recovering under Sisi’s government, although increased growth has not yet benefited ordinary citizens. Prioritising major infrastructure projects and investments while cutting subsidies and neglecting a large and growing number of unemployed youth has the potential to trigger unrest and instability. Student groups and labour unions will continue to be key sites of demonstration against the government during periods of increased economic hardship.

Concerns have also been raised both domestically and internationally over Egypt's vigorous anti- democratic practices and the crackdown on what it considers to be 'subversive elements'. While the focus of Egypt's security crackdown has been firmly on the banned Muslim Brotherhood, a significant number of opposition leaders, journalists, liberal activists and civil society members have disappeared, been arrested or otherwise discouraged from continuing their activities. The arrest of a number of presidential candidates and opposition figures in the build-up to the March 2018 elections is demonstrable of a resurgent authoritarianism in Egypt. While in the lead-up to the anniversary of the 2011 revolution on 25 January 2016, security forces arrested hundreds of alleged Muslim Brotherhood members and broke up any protests or large public gatherings. The government’s

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 9 increasingly authoritarian measures, including the control of public media, the heavy handed crackdown on dissent, the façade of elections and a general curtailing of any opposition, has the potential to threaten stability and undermine popular support for government in the long-term.

Recent incidents

23 August 2021 - 24 August 2021 Medium risk: Egyptian officials close Rafah border crossing with Gaza Local sources indicated that the Egyptian authorities closed the Rafah border crossing with Gaza, as of morning hours local time, due to tensions with Hamas leaders there. It was not immediately clear when the crossing will be reopened, but it comes amid Egyptian efforts to broker a long- term cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Israel.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 10 Conflict : High Risk

Border Conflicts: The dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has produced a volatile security threat along the shared border with Egypt's Rafah governorate. The government of Abdel Fattah el- Sisi has taken a particularly hard line on Gaza and Hamas, flooding hundreds of tunnels, used by smugglers to cross the border, in an escalation of border control measures in the area. Egypt alleges that the tunnels are used to smuggle arms and supplies to Islamic State (IS) affiliated militants in North Sinai governorate.

After a deadly attack on security forces in North Sinai in October 2014, the Egyptian government evacuated a 500m (1,600 ft) buffer zone and constructed a 20m (65 ft) wide and deep water channel along the 13km (eight mile) border, with the exception of areas within Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid. Future scuffles and attempted break outs are likely to elicit a heavy handed response from Egyptian border police. Enhanced border security measures restrict travel in the area and those arousing suspicion are likely to be detained for questioning.

Attacks by Islamic State (IS) and other affiliated militant groups on Israel have triggered drone strikes within North Sinai governorate by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). While these strikes appear to take place with either the blessing or – at the very least – the acceptance of the Egyptian military, they breed resentment and unrest within local populations. Further cross-border rocket strikes by militant groups are likely to trigger an escalation in the number and extent of Israeli drone strikes in the area in the long-term.

The ongoing civil war in Libya has led to significant instability along the Egypt-Libya border, with reports that Libyan border guards had withdrawn from their posts in August 2015 increasing the risk of cross-border sorties by IS-affiliated militants. In response, the Egyptian government announced the redeployment of a number of military units from North Sinai governorate, the establishment of closed military zones in the Western Desert region and the requirement of permits to enter the area.

The Egyptian military has carried out airstrikes on suspected militant and criminal elements crossing the border between Egypt and Libya, including on multi-vehicle convoys allegedly carrying weapons and ammunition. On several occasions these airstrikes have mistakenly targeted civilians; foreign nationals and local residents have been killed in such strikes since 2015. Further strikes, and possible civilian casualties, are likely in the near- and medium-term.

Ethnic and Sectarian Tensions: Tensions between the Muslim and Coptic Christian communities have escalated since the ouster of Mohamed Morsi, with at least 300 attacks targeting Copts reported in the immediate aftermath of the military coup. The number and range of attacks, including fatal stabbings, mob attacks, and coordinated attacks on churches and other religious sites, has increased markedly since 2014. Violent sectarian clashes between Copts and Muslims have also been reported, particularly in Minya governorate. Concerns that the government is ignoring the persecution of Coptic Christians has led to sporadic but growing protests, with larger rallies and protests likely in the near- to medium-term. These tensions have been further exacerbated by increasing attacks by terror groups, particularly the Islamic State (IS) targeting the Coptic community. In December 2016 and

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 11 April-May 2017, IS militants carried out large-scale attacks on Coptic cathedrals in Cairo, Tanta and Alexandria, as well as on a passenger bus carrying Copts in Minya governorate, further underlining the inability of the government to protect the Coptic community.

Coptic groups continue to express concern that the government, at best, is disinterested in protecting the Coptic community in Egypt and, at worst, has actively worked to undermine it and encouraged sectarian violence targeting Copts. Severe restrictions on the construction of new churches has bred growing resentment, exacerbated by reports that individuals caught burning down churches and temporary prayer tents have been repeatedly released without charge.

Egyptian government relations with the 15 major Sinai Bedouin tribes have been strained since a series of terrorist attacks targeted the Red Sea resort towns of Taba, Dahab and Sharm el-Sheikh between 2004 and 2006. Though evidence of Bedouin complicity in the crimes has never been presented convincingly, every attack was followed by the mass arrest of thousands of local tribal residents. A chief demand of Bedouin protestors, therefore, has been a halt to police violations targeting local residents and the release of Bedouin prisoners wrongfully detained since 2004. The Bedouin have also demanded access to education and the economic development of the peninsula, which they say has been historically neglected by the government. The central Sinai is among the poorest areas in the world, with rampant unemployment and few basic services available. Spokesmen for the Ministry of the Interior - which has jurisdiction over the peninsula - continue to deny any mistreatment of local inhabitants.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 12 Terrorism

The collapse of Libya into a state of civil war has allowed terror groups to easily cross the Libya-Egypt border, smuggling weapons, explosives and fighters into the country while avoiding security forces, already stretched thin attempting to clamp down on rampant militancy across North and South Sinai province. Meanwhile, domestic terror groups have rapidly proliferated across mainland Egypt, attacking government infrastructure, tourist sites and minority religious groups, particularly Coptic Christians.

The threat is exacerbated by a lack of consistency from the government in its response to attacks. The October 2015 downing of a Russian Kogalymavia passenger plane carrying 224 people shortly after its take-off from Sharm el-Sheikh Airport (SSH/HESH) was not deemed a terror attack by the government, despite evidence provided by the US, UK and Russian governments that the plane was brought down by an explosive. Reported 'terror attacks' on tourists in Giza governorate and Hurghada in January 2016 were widely contested in the media, with some narratives alleging that the attacks were instead criminal in nature.

The major government crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood following the ouster of Mohamed Morsi, as well as more recent internal strife within the group, has opened the way for a proliferation of small, armed groups subscribing to an openly Islamist ideology. These groups, including Hassm, formed in 2016, operate across mainland Egypt and primarily target 'soft' government sites and personnel, such as police officers, but have also attempted to carry out larger attacks, including a failed attempt to assassinate former Mufti Ali Gomaa.

Increasingly, terror groups operating in the Egyptian mainland – particularly the Western Desert region – have specifically targeted foreign nationals and tourist sites. On 28 December 2018, the detonation of a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) on Al-Marioteya Road, near the Giza Pyramids, Giza governorate, killed at least four people, including three Vietnamese nationals, while they were travelling on a tour bus. In January 2016, several terror attacks were reported on urban hubs previously considered safe, with Islamic State militants detonating a series of deadly explosives on a main road near the Giza Pyramids, Giza governorate – killing eight people – on 21 January 2016, and gunmen opening fire on a tour bus carrying Israeli citizens outside the Delta Pyramids Hotel near the Giza Pyramids, Giza governorate, on 7 January 2016. On 8 January 2016, knife- wielding assailants stabbed foreign nationals at the Bella Vista Hotel, Hurghada, in an alleged terror attack (although this has been contested by local media sources). Such attacks demonstrate the capabilities of militant groups to target tourist sites and urban areas and highlight the ongoing risk for foreign nationals visiting the country.

The discovery on 4 February 2016 of the dead body of a foreign national – believed to be 28-year-old Italian student Giulio Regeni, who went missing on 25 January 2016 – found in a ditch in the Hazem Hassan area of Cairo's 6th of October City with signs of torture, highlights the growing risk to foreign nationals of targeted kidnapping, particularly in light of the 22 July 2015 abduction and subsequent execution of a Croatian national from an area between Cairo and the Western Desert region by IS-affiliated militants. Foreign travellers represent a high-value target for criminal groups

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 13 and opportunistic kidnappers. On 10 June 2015, a number of militants, including a suicide bomber, launched an unsuccessful attack on the Temple of Karnak, Luxor, a popular tourist destination, triggering heightened security at tourist sites nationwide.

The Coptic Christian community has also been specifically targeted by IS. In December 2016, at least 25 people were killed after IS militants detonated an explosive device at the Saint Mark’s Coptic Cathedral in the Abbassia area of Cairo; in a similar attack in April 2017, a total of at least 47 people were killed after IS militants detonated explosives outside the Mar Girgis Coptic Church, Tanta, Gharbia governorate, and the Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria’s Manshyia district. In May 2017, Islamic State gunmen massacred Coptic passengers on a bus near Al Edwah, Minya governorate, while en route to a desert monastery. The IS group also claimed responsibility for shooting seven Coptic Christians dead while they were travelling to Saint Samuel’s Monastery in Al Edwah, Minya governorate, on 2 November 2018. These attacks - alongside the targeted killings and executions of Copts in North Sinai governorate - highlight the increasing profile of Copts as a target for terror attack, with the intent to trigger sectarian unrest and divide Egyptian society.

Despite the implementation of advanced security precautions across the country, the fact that assailants have continued to be able to carry out successful operations illustrates a continued vulnerability to terrorism. Visitors are advised to maintain a high level of personal security awareness in hotel lobbies, street markets and popular tourist venues. Avoid travelling without an experienced local guide in the Nile Valley governorates of Asyut, Sohag, Minya and Qena located between Cairo and Luxor.

North and South Sinai governorates: The majority of terrorist activity in Egypt takes place in the Sinai, particularly around the flashpoint towns of Sheikh Zuweid, Rafah, and al-Arish in North Sinai governorate. The Islamic State (IS)-affiliated Sinai Province terror group has rapidly risen to prominence in the region, displacing or absorbing other groups such as Agnad Misr ("Soldiers of Egypt"). Originally founded in 2011 as Ansar al-Bayt al-Maqdis (literally "Supporters of Jerusalem" or ABM), the group swore allegiance to the Islamic State in 2014, changing its name to Wilayat Sanai ("Sinai Province"), and escalating the intensity and scale of its attacks. The group has shown both the capability and intent to stage major attacks on Egyptian security forces across the region and has proven resilient in the face of a high-intensity bombing and counter-insurgency campaign by the military. Sinai Province has also clashed with Gaza-based terror groups, with reports that they have abducted a number of Hamas members during 2015.

The 31 October 2015 downing of a Russian Kogalymavia passenger plane carrying 224 people shortly after its take-off from Sharm el-Sheikh Airport (SSH/HESH), allegedly by a bomb planted aboard the plane by Sinai Province, has raised serious questions about the safety and security of Sharm el- Sheikh Airport. The attack is marked escalation from the group's previous activity in North Sinai governorate, demonstrating the ability and intent to strike targets in areas previously considered secure.

Concerns also remain over the spread of extremist Islamist groups that have been expelled from Gaza by Hamas; Jund Ansar Allah ("Warriors of God"), Jaysh al Islam ("Army of Islam") and Jaljalat ("War Cry") may seek to use Egypt as a base to launch attacks on Israel, or within Egypt itself. Members of these Islamist groups operating in the Sinai Peninsula are thought to be responsible for

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 14 a number of rocket attacks on the city of Eilat, Israel, as well as several coordinated attacks on Egypt and Israeli border guards.

Egypt's northern Sinai region is a haven for smuggling weapons, explosives, funds and people between Egypt, the Gaza Strip and Israel. The radicalisation of some Sinai Bedouin based largely around Sheikh Zuweid and Rafah may be linked in part to these smuggling networks and to the Bedouin's long-standing complaints of discriminatory and heavy-handed treatment by the central government. Three separate attacks in the 2000s targeting visitors to the Sinai resort towns of Taba, Dahab and Sharm el-Sheikh have been linked to the complicity of the local Bedouin population. Metal detectors have since been installed at the front entrances of all major hotels, restaurants and tourist sites on the coast. Police roadblocks and security escorts are visible expressions of this new security agenda. The South Sinai Security Directorate has also increased the number of checkpoints along the main highway to Sharm el-Sheikh, coordinating with Bedouin tribes to patrol the mountainous central region of the governorate. While overland travel is possible on the Suez-Sharm el-Sheikh-Taba road in South Sinai, vehicles with foreign visitors may be required to move in convoy with military escort.

Militant groups operating in the Sinai possess the capability and have expressed the intent to carry out further attacks touristic and other economic interests in the Red Sea resort areas of the peninsula and beyond. Arrive by air to airports in Sharm el-Sheikh or Taba and avoid overland travel, especially at night. Those attempting overland travel should allow for additional time and ensure all travel documentation is in good order, including having a valid Egyptian visa in their passport.

Mainland Egypt: The collapse of Libya into civil conflict, and the subsequent abandonment of border posts by the Libyan military, has allowed IS-affiliated groups to establish a foothold in the Western Desert region, placing them in close proximity to major urban hubs including Cairo and Giza. These groups have shown both the capability and intent to carry out attacks in mainland Egypt, including bomb attacks near the Giza Pyramid complex, Giza governorate, in December 2018 and January 2016, attacking foreign nationals outside of hotels in both Giza governorate and Hurghada in early January 2016, kidnapping – and subsequently executing – a Croatian national from Cairo in July 2015, launching an unsuccessful attack on the Temple of Karnak, Luxor, in June 2015, and detonating a series of explosive devices outside the Ghanaian, Nigerien, and Italian embassies in Cairo and Giza throughout 2015.

In addition to the threat of foreign IS-inspired groups, a number of domestic cells operate across mainland Egypt. These groups are responsible for a low-intensity bombing campaign against the government and security forces, detonating crude, homemade devices outside police stations, banks, against electricity pylons and other pieces of government infrastructure. While these groups have not explicitly targeted foreign nationals, the risk of collateral damage from bombings is high.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 15 Recent incidents

13 August 2021 - 14 August 2021 High risk: IED blast targets security forces in New Rafah, North Sinai governorate Local sources indicated that at least eight security personnel were killed and and six others were wounded when a patrol vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED) on a road in New Rafah, North Sinai governorate. The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack.

01 August 2021 - 02 August 2021 Medium risk: IED blast injures civilians near Bir El Abd, North Sinai Local media reported that at least five civilians were injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in the Abu Dhab area of Bir El Abd, North Sinai; Islamic State (IS) militants were suspected to have planted the bomb to target utility workers repairing electrical infrastructure.

31 July 2021 - 01 August 2021 High risk: IS militants attack security checkpoint near Sheikh Zuweid, North Sinai governorate Government officials indicated that at least five soldiers were killed and six others wounded when Islamic State (IS) militants attacked a security checkpoint near Sheikh Zuweid, North Sinai governorate; at least three of the attackers were also killed.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 16 Unrest : Medium Risk

Protests and Demonstrations: In a wave of violent of unrest that accompanied the June 2013 ouster of former president Mohammed Morsi, more than 150 people were killed, 1,800 injured and hundreds of others detained within a two-week period. Smaller, localised clashes began in early June between supporters of Morsi and anti-government protesters – primarily in Cairo, Alexandria and cities in the Nile Delta governorates – following the launch of the Tamarod (‘Rebel’) Campaign. The grassroots movement allegedly collected more than 22 million signatures in support of removing Morsi from power and organised mass anti-government demonstrations on 30 June that saw tens of millions of people gather in cities across Egypt. In response to Morsi’s ouster, supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood organised mass sit-in protests at Cairo’s Rabaa al-Adawiya and al-Nahda squares. An operation by security forces to clear the squares on 14 August 2013 resulted in an estimated 600 civilian fatalities and another 4,000 injuries, making it the deadliest single day since the 2011 uprising.

Since then, the military-backed government issued a law effectively banning protests, which, along with political fatigue and the continued alertness of the security forces, has successfully made protests a rare occurrence. The few that have taken place since were small and quickly dispersed by police forces.

Visitors are strongly advised to avoid all public gatherings and to exercise caution in the vicinity of any demonstrations. In Egypt these are likely to be characterised by the overwhelming presence of riot police dressed in black uniforms. Egyptian security forces closely monitor protests, photographing citizens for evidence, and may react with disproportionate violence if they feel their control is threatened. Track local media for word on variation in the government's long-standing subsidisation programme. Even a minor adjustment impacts the lives of millions and may lead to violent protests across the country.

NB: Although there have been relatively few incidents of violence directed at hotels since the 2011 revolution, these facilities have not been entirely immune. Both the Semiramis and Shepheard hotels in downtown Cairo were targeted during a period of unrest in the vicinity of the Corniche from January to February 2013. Hotel staff intervened in both cases to prevent armed assailants from advancing beyond the lobby areas.

Strikes: A wave of labour unrest has swept over Egypt in recent years as workers demand higher wages and bonuses and express fear over plans to sell off state-owned enterprises. With a centre of gravity firmly embedded in the textile sector, the strikes have spread to mobilise Cairo subway workers, makers of building materials, garbage collectors, bakers, and many others. Though the strikes are technically illegal - unauthorized by the state-sponsored General Federation of Trade Unions - in nearly every case, workers demanding better work conditions and higher-than-poverty- level wages have been met by government officials who have agreed to their demands. This reactive approach to quelling unrest is likely to encourage further strike action in the future. Note that the co- opting of labour issues by pro-democracy street protestors is likely to draw the ire of Egypt's security services. Avoid large demonstrations to mitigate the risk from heavy handed police intervention.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 17 There are no recent incidents

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 18 Crime : Medium Risk

Crimes against Women: Both local and foreign women are exposed to a high level of public sexual harassment, including explicit comments, groping, men exposing themselves and assault. Women, in particular those travelling alone, are vulnerable to harassment and verbal abuse in urban areas and at beach resorts. To avoid any unwanted attention it is best to dress conservatively, covering both shoulders and legs. However, an outward expression of piety is no guarantee of protection from sexual harassment. If someone does harass you in the streets, shouting and drawing attention to their actions may help. Passers-by will usually jump to assist if a local man is believed to be behaving inappropriately towards a foreign woman. Note that the Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha festivals commonly draw young men from the Delta provinces to Cairo. These groups have traditionally been responsible for a sharp spike in the reported harassment of women over the festival period.

Scams: In tourist areas and souks locals may offer to act as a guide to the ‘best’ sites or shops, before pressuring those they’ve guided into paying them a fee or purchasing an item from the shop. Taxi drivers have also been known to take passengers to hotels they have an agreement with, receiving a payment for each person they deliver who stays at the hotel; in some cases the driver may lie and pretend the hotel their passengers have booked into is closed or fully booked.

Travellers are advised to firmly decline when pressured to buy items, or offered an alternative hotel. Beyond raising their voice most shop owners will not physically prevented visitors from leaving, and taxi drivers will stop when requested.

Credit Card Fraud: While credit card fraud is not widespread, travellers are nonetheless advised to check that the correct bill amount followed by the letters EGP - if you are paying in Egyptian pounds - is on every sheet of the payment slip. Make sure to keep all receipts for credit card payments as clerical errors and low level fraud are possible.

Recent incidents

23 August 2021 - 24 August 2021 Medium risk: Egyptian officials close Rafah border crossing with Gaza Local sources indicated that the Egyptian authorities closed the Rafah border crossing with Gaza, as of morning hours local time, due to tensions with Hamas leaders there. It was not immediately clear when the crossing will be reopened, but it comes amid Egyptian efforts to broker a long- term cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Israel.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 19 Law

The Egyptian judicial system is based on European, primarily French, legal concepts and traditions. Egyptian law requires that detained persons be brought before a magistrate and formally charged within forty-eight hours of arrest or else released. An accused is entitled to post bail and had the right to be defended by legal counsel.

On 1 June 2012, the ruling SCAF military council allowed Egypt’s Emergency Law to expire for the first time in 31 years. The law had been effectively suspended since 24 January 2012, with the exception of undefined cases of "thuggery". Under SCAF Decree 193 issued on 12 September 2011, the interim governing Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) had previously widened the scope of the law - restricted in 2010 to narcotics and terrorism - to include labour strikes, traffic disruption and the spread of false information. That decision came in response to a 9 September incident in which protesters breached Israel’s embassy in Cairo.

The Emergency Law has since been eclipsed by the military's use of its own justice system to arrest, jail and prosecute at least 10,000 civilians, many of them protesters or petty criminals. On 13 June 2012, the Justice Ministry issued a decree granting military police and intelligence officers the power to arrest civilians, effectively reinstating martial law and extending the arrest powers of security forces. Lawyers for the Muslim Brotherhood promptly filed a court appeal.

Drugs and Alcohol: The use, possession or trafficking of illegal drugs - even in small quantities - is viewed as a serious offence and may lead to long prison sentences (25 years) or the death penalty. Egyptian authorities operate a zero tolerance drugs policy: you will be eligible for the maximum sentence, whatever the amount or nature of the substance that you have taken. Moreover, capital punishment is legal in Egypt and may be applied for certain drug-related crimes.

Importing and Exporting Goods: Unsanctioned trading or trafficking in antiquities is strictly forbidden and carries a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison. Any antiquity older than 100 years can only be exported with the approval of the appropriate licensing regime.

Photography: Photography of bridges, sensitive civil infrastructure, government buildings, embassies and military personnel is prohibited. Violations may incur penalties ranging from confiscation to arbitrary detention.

Death Penalty: Under Egyptian law, 90 different crimes are punishable by death, including "security offenses" such as espionage, rape, premeditated murder and drug-related offenses. All death sentences passed by a criminal court can only be appealed before the Court of Cassation. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the verdict is ruled to be final. There is very little official data available on death sentences and executions in Egypt. Between 1996 and 2001, Amnesty International recorded 382 death sentences. However, the organisation believes the actual number to be much higher than those it recorded.

Sexual Behaviour: Homosexuality is not explicitly referred to in Egypt's legal code, but a wide range of laws covering obscenity and prostitution are applied to homosexuals, and police are routinely accused of arbitrarily wielding charges of "debauchery". Authorities use a 1961 law on the Combat of

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 20 Prostitution, which carries a custodial sentence of between three months to three years in prison and is tried in criminal rather than state security courts.

In the largest case to date, state security arrested 52 gay men on a floating restaurant (the Queen Boat) on the Nile River in 2001. After being charged with debauchery and blasphemy, 23 were sentenced to two years in prison, two received three and five years, and the rest were acquitted. The torture they suffered in detention under the Mubarak regime was well documented by human rights groups.

Proselytizing: While the practice of Christianity is tolerated in Egypt, conversion to the Christian faith is frowned upon and proselytizing or encouraging conversion is illegal.

Press: Press freedom is restricted in Egypt with recent cases brought against editors and journalists for the crime of 'insulting the president' and 'spreading false or tendentious rumors,' after they reported on an anti-government lawsuit.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 21 Corruption

Egypt continues to face a number of major challenges, including bribery among public officials, kickbacks in public procurement and embezzlement of public funds. Graft remains widespread due to common business and security practices that encourage bribe-taking.

Travellers: Petty corruption is endemic in the police force, especially below senior levels. In addition to acceptance of bribes or simple theft, credible reports have previously charged police of covering up rank-and-file instances of assault and murder. Impunity of police officers and security force officers is all but assured.

Reports have previously surfaced of judges accepting bribes from defendants in exchange for lenient sentences or acquittals.

Residents: Speaking broadly, there are two systems for receiving services in Egypt: The government system and the 'do-it-yourself' system. Instead of following the channels of bureaucracy, most residents rely on an informal system of personal contacts and bribes to get a building permit, pass an inspection, get a driver's license - or make a living.

Corruption is endemic at the higher and lower levels of governance making bribery a tool necessary to navigate low-level bureaucratic channels. The system is encouraged by a lack of accountability and poor pay for low ranked civil servants.

Business: Businesses are likely to encounter corruption in meetings with public offices, as officials in various government departments are reputed to regularly engage in unorthodox practices including bribery, embezzlement and tampering with official documents. On average, companies report spending up to eight percent of sales on unofficial payments to get things done. For example, 27% of companies claim that tax inspectors expect gifts in dealing with tax payments, and bribery in relation to securing a government contract is not uncommon.

In customs zones, low-level officials are known to demand bribes for paperwork required for clearance.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 22 Security Services

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s regime has made little effort to hold Egypt’s security services to account. With a multitude of internal security agencies operating under competing agendas, often with little oversight, the provision of security can be described as dysfunctional at best. A continuing low-level insurgency campaign waged by a variety of small terror groups has triggered brutal crackdowns and deadly raids across the country, undermining the already weak link between the Egyptian citizenry and the domestic security services.

The Interior Ministry, which oversees police in Egypt, relies on low-ranking police to protect government buildings. Enhanced security arrangements are in place at airports and tourist sites. Egyptian police may insist on escorting organized tour groups in some areas, such as the Western Oases and both North and South Sinai governorates.

Professionalism: With its interior ministry employing, by some estimates, 1.4m people, from uniformed patrolmen to the more powerful but less accountable plain-clothes officers of the State Security Investigations branch, Egypt is one of the world's most heavily policed countries. Low salaries encourage many police officers to accept small bribes (in exchange for overlooking traffic citations, for example) to supplement their otherwise unsustainably low wages. At a higher level, police corruption is reported to assume the form of complicity in drug smuggling.

If you are the victim of any crime you are advised to report it to the Tourist Police immediately. You will not be able to pursue the case if you do not report the crime before leaving the country.

Racial Discrimination: Egypt is host to a considerable number of Sudanese refugees, who are not always treated with great respect. Their refugee status is disputed and they have been subject to racial discrimination and police violence. Discrimination may extend to other foreign nationals who might be taken for Sudanese. That being said, most Egyptians are friendly and helpful.

Police frequently patrol Egypt-Israel land border crossing at Rafah, Nitzana and Taba and will not hesitate to open fire on migrants, typically Eritrean or Sudanese, attempting illegal entry to Israel. If attempting an overland crossing, follow the directions of Egyptian authorities explicitly and avoid straying near the fence at any point along its length.

Abuses: Human rights abuses are endemic throughout jails and prisons across Egypt. Individuals arrested for theft or assault have been beaten, while those arrested for offenses perceived as immoral - such as homosexual activity - have been severely assaulted and tortured. Individuals detained on suspicion of seditionist or terrorist activity are regularly tortured and humiliated, with the deaths of detainees not uncommon. Egypt's National Security (NSA), the country's domestic intelligence agency, is reported to regularly subject detainees to torture and other serious abuses.

Foreign nationals are not exempted from this treatment; the death of Italian student Giulio Regeni - whose body was found with evidence of torture by the side of a road in Cairo in 2016 - is widely believed to have been brought about the domestic security services.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 23 Natural Risks : Low Risk

Natural disasters are rare in Egypt, but sandstorms are common from February to June. These storms can severely reduce visibility and impact driving conditions. Light rainfall occurs a handful of times during winter and fall seasons, but it tends to trigger floods across the country, including in Cairo and Alexandria, due to poor road infrastructure. Emergency services and disaster management response is quick in most cities, but poor in rural areas. Environmental regulations are poorly enforced nationwide.

Dust/Sand Storms

Dust storms occur when a gust front or other strong wind system blows loose sand and dirt from a dry surface. As such, dust storms normally only occur in arid and semi-arid regions.

During the period February to June, depressions can move eastwards along the southern parts of the Mediterranean or along the North African coast triggering the onset of the Khamsin winds. These 150kph (93 mph) winds blow from the south or southeast off the hot Sahara Desert with temperatures rising as much as 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) in two hours. These winds are capable of producing storms that can cause serious property damage, injury and death by reducing visibility affecting aircraft and road transportation, and negatively impacting chronic respiratory conditions.

Because meteorologists can commonly predict the likely onset of a storm, the most effective way to mitigate physical risk is to monitor local weather updates and consider deferring travel in the event of a storm alert. If you see a dust storm from some distance and you are in a vehicle you may be able to outrun or detour around it. Some dust storms can travel at more than 120 kph (75 mph), but they frequently travel much slower. Those in transit when a storm catches up to them are advised to roll up windows and turn off vents before pulling off the road, setting the parking brake and turning on headlights, brake lights and turn signals. If stuck outside, seek out a large rock or other landform offering at least partial protection. Avoid breaking rank with your group to mitigate the risk of becoming lost in zero visibility conditions. Carry a mask designed to filter small particulates and a pair of airtight goggles to protect your eyes. As an alternative, wrap a wet bandana or strip of cloth around your nose and mouth. Store loose fitting clothing for use as a protective layer against the effects of sandblasting. In addition, air travel may also likely be disrupted during sand storms.

Landslides/Mudslides

Sometimes referred to as debris flows, mudflows, lahars or debris avalanches, landslides/mudslides are a form of mass soil movement that tends to flow in channels in a surge of water-saturated rock, earth and debris, typically following heavy rainfall.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 24 Rockfalls in the Muqattam Hills area, flanking the Old City of Cairo on the eastern side, are not uncommon. The type of rock in the area - limestone with deposits of shale - is susceptible to erosion by water, which swells the shale and helps caves form in the limestone. Areas where human modification and/or natural erosion has exposed sloped hillsides are considered to be particularly vulnerable to landslides. To protect against the threat of landslide in the Muqattam area, visitors are advised to maintain a distance of 50 metres (165 feet) from the cliff face whenever possible. Industrial work on the hills may mask the rumbling that accompanies a major rockslide, thus underscoring the importance of heightened situational awareness.

Follow local news updates in landslide prone areas for warnings about intense storms and rainfall. If landslide or debris flow danger is imminent, quickly move away from the path of the slide. Seek shelter on the nearest high ground in a direction away from the path. If rocks and debris are approaching, run for the nearest shelter and take cover (if possible, under a desk, table or other piece of sturdy furniture that can provide you with air space if the building collapses). Anticipate disruptions to overland travel in areas affected by landslides. Confirm the viability of intented overland travel routes before departure and remain alert for landslide warning signs including cracks in the soil or the faint rumbling sound of an approaching landslide or debris flow.

Earthquakes

An earthquake is the sudden, rapid shaking of the earth, caused by the breaking and shifting of subterranean rock as it releases strain that has accumulated over a long period. Initial mild shaking may worsen and become extremely violent within a matter of seconds. Additional earthquakes, called aftershocks, may follow the initial earthquake.

Despite being situated in an active earthquake zone, the country has been unaffected by a major seismic event since the 1992 Cairo earthquake that left several hundred people dead, primarily due to building collapses and stampeding by crowds rushing to escape the city.. Future incidents are most likely along the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts; the last deadly earthquake in the country took place in the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea in 1995.

When shaking begins, drop to the ground and take cover under, and hold on to, a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a heavy desk or table that can provide you with air space if the building collapses. If you're not near a strong piece of furniture, crouch down and protect your head and face in an inner corner of a building; only stand in a doorway if you know it is strongly supported. Stay away from windows or glass panels. Most deaths and injuries in an earthquake are caused by collapsing building materials and heavy falling objects. Stay indoors until the tremors stop and you are sure it is safe to exit. Avoid all areas in the vicinity of outer walls and doorways, as these are most prone to falling debris. In a high-rise building, the electricity may go out and the sprinkler systems may come on. Do not use the elevators. If the lights go out, avoid using candles, matches or lighters during or after the earthquake; if there is a gas leak, an explosion could result. If outdoors, move to an open space away from buildings, electric poles and street lights which are prone to collapse. Do not travel on roads and

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 25 bridges which may have been damaged by the earthquake. Be prepared for secondary earth movements that follow the initial earthquake; some of these may be large enough to cause additional damage or bring down weakened structures.

Smog/Haze and Pollution

Smog is a kind of air pollution, originally named for the mixture of smoke and fog in the air. Haze often occurs when dust and smoke particles accumulate in relatively dry air. When weather conditions block the dispersal of smoke and other pollutants they concentrate and form a low- hanging shroud that impairs visibility. Industrial pollution and large forest fires generally contribute to smog/haze. Even short exposure to occasional "very high" or "severe" particulate concentrations are dangerous for those suffering from existent heart or lung illnesses. Air pollutants including respirable suspended particulates and nitrogen dioxide increase the viscosity of elements in the blood, binding cells together to form clots that may obstruct blood vessels in the heart or the head and contribute to the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Air pollution can be a significant problem in urban areas, particularly in the Cairo metropolitan area. The situation is often exacerbated during the fall months (September-November) due to dry conditions, dust storms from the Western Desert as well as poor air circulation, a result of inversion whereby warmer air is held above cooler air and traps air pollution close to the ground.

Travellers with acute respiratory problems are advised to consult regional air quality reports before engaging in outdoor activities. Carry required medication at all times and consider using a face mask.

Flooding

A flood is an overflow of water that submerges land that is usually dry. It is normally triggered by an extended period of heavy rainfall and can be exarcebated by poor drainage systems in the affected area.

Rainfall is relatively rare across Egypt, with the exception of Mediterranean coastal areas. Even small amounts of rain, however, can cause flooding and standing water on roadways due to poor infrastructure in both urban and rural areas. Flash floods are possible in mountainous areas and in normally dry watershed areas in the Red Sea and South Sinai regions.

If instructed of the possibility that flash-flooding may affect the area you are in, monitor local updates and move immediately to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks and storm drains. Though flash-flooding is commonly attributable to excess upstream precipitation, be aware that flooding can occur without typical warning signs of rain clouds or heavy rain. This is especially true near streams, drainage channels, canyons and other areas known to flood suddenly. If you happen across a flooded road in your car, turn around and drive in the opposite direction. When trapped on a flooded road, vacate your vehicle immediately and climb to higher ground.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 26 Heat Waves

A heat wave is characterised by temperatures that hover at 10 degrees or more above the average high for the region over a period of several weeks. Parallel weather systems may include temperature inversions and katabatic winds.

The Egyptian summer months (May to August) are exceptionally hot with temperatures climbing to as high as 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit); nearly 100 people were killed by a countrywide heat wave in 2015. Heat waves are also possible between March and May due to khamasīn desert winds. Many towns shut down during the afternoon owing to the relative scarcity of air-conditioning. With units generally restricted to high-end homes, hotels, and restaurants, travelling on aboard public transport can be particularly unpleasant.

In hot weather, you will need to increase fluid intake (non-alcoholic), regardless of activity level. Stay indoors in an air-conditioned room. This is the primary means of protection against heat-related illness and possibly death. If a home is not air-conditioned, identify public facilities that are. Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing. If you must be out in the heat, limit outdoor activity to early morning and late evening hours. Those at greatest risk of suffering heat-related illness include infants, young children and adults aged 65 or older.

There are no recent incidents

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 27 Health and Medical: Medium Risk

Overview

Private healthcare facilities in Cairo, Alexandria and Sharm el-Sheikh tend to be of high quality, with modern equipment, good infection control and English-speaking staff. Public facilities are often short on equipment and drugs and staffed by poorly trained doctors and nurses, who face frequent accusations of negligence. Hospitals in rural areas are particularly notorious. Emergency services, while readily available, can be seriously disrupted by the high levels of traffic in urban areas.

Before you travel

Consult your doctor or a healthcare provider who specialises in travel medicine at least six weeks before your departure. If you have a medical condition, you should also share your travel plans with your doctor.

Note: Requirements and recommendations for vaccines and other medicines are based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Documentation requirements are based on World Health Organisation guidelines.

Outbreaks

Malaria

There is no risk of malaria transmission.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 28 Yellow Fever

There is no risk of Yellow Fever infection.

Vaccine requirement: Required if traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission and ≥9 months of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YF virus transmission. This includes Eritrea, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, and Zambia. In the absence of a vaccination certificate, the person will be detained in quarantine for up to 6 days afer departure from an area at risk of YF virus transmission.

Vaccine recommendation: None

Vaccinations, Medicines and Documentation

Recommended for all travellers

Measles

Infants (6 through 11 months old): 1 dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before travel. This dose does not count as the first dose in the routine childhood vaccination series. People 12 months old or older, with no evidence of immunity or no written documentation of any doses: 2 doses of MMR vaccine before travel. The 2 doses must be given 28 days apart. People 12 months old or older who have written documentation of 1 dose and no other evidence of immunity: 1 additional dose before travel, at least 28 days after the previous dose.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 29 Recommended for most travellers

Hepatitis A

CDC recommends this vaccine because you can get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in Egypt, regardless of where you are eating or staying.

Recommended for some travellers

Hepatitis B

You can get hepatitis B through sexual contact, contaminated needles, and blood products, so CDC recommends this vaccine if you might have sex with a new partner, get a tattoo or piercing, or have any medical procedures.

Vaccinations, Medicines and Documentation

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 30 Required documentation

Yellow Fever entry requirement: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers aged 9 months or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (with the addition of eritrea, rwanda, somalia, united republic of tanzania and zambia) and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (with the same additions mentioned above). in the absence of a vaccination certificate, the individual will be detained in quarantine for up to 6 days of departure from an area at risk of yellow fever transmission.

Other entry requirements:

Polio vaccination is requested regardless of age and vaccination status. Proof of receipt of a dose of oral polio vaccine (OPV) or inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) in the form of an international vaccination certificate as specified in Annex 6 of the IHR issued within the previous 12 months and at least 4 weeks before departure is required for travellers arriving from Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Somalia) to apply for an entry visa. Proof of vaccination with OPV or IPV is required from all travellers arriving from Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Niger and Syrian Arab Republic.

Note: Documentation requirements are subject to change. Consult your destination embassy or consulate prior to departure for confirmation.

While you are there

Emergency Numbers

Medical: 123

Emergency services

Emergency services are relatively quick and efficient in Cairo and other urban areas, but may be hampered by the high levels of traffic. Access to emergency services is limited in rural areas, particularly North and South Sinai governorate.

Evacuation

In the event of severe injury or illness, medical evacuation may be required.

Routine care

There is a distinct gap in healthcare provision provided by public and private facilities. Public facilities are often poorly equipped and staffed, with numerous accusations of negligence levelled against public hospitals. Private hospitals and clinics are markedly better equipped, particularly in Cairo,

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 31 Alexandria and Sharm el Sheikh, where facilities are of a high standard, with professional, English- speaking staff. Hospitals and clinics in rural areas, particularly North and South Sinai governorate, are generally noticeably poorer, with ageing equipment and poorly trained staff.

Medicine

Pharmacies are well stocked and easily accessible across urban areas, with many pharmacists speaking English. While less accessible in rural areas, there are no shortages of major drugs or prescription medicines. Travellers are nonetheless advised to carry their prescription medicines with them while in Egypt.

Payment

Many private healthcare facilities will expect an upfront payment in cash, regardless of whether a traveller has insurance.

Ailments

Traveller's diarrhoea (TD)

Traveller's diarrhoea (TD) is a catch-all term for a number of minor or moderate bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, generally transmitted through infected food or water. In the majority of cases antibiotics or anti-diarrhoeal medication is unnecessary; travellers experiencing TD should ensure that they remain hydrated and well rested until their symptoms dissipate. Most cases of TD last less than three days; if diarrhoea continues for longer periods, travellers should consider consulting a medical professional.

Hepatitis (A, B, C, D and E)

Though country-wide field studies on the incidence of HCV in Egypt are too resource-intensive to be practical, a controversial study published in August 2010 provided a figure of approximately half a million people in Egypt who are infected annually with hepatitis C virus (HCV) - far more than any country in the world. Egypt's Ministry of Health provides a significantly lower estimate of approximately 100,000 new cases of hepatitis C every year, caused by a lack of disposable medical technologies and poor hygiene habits. Most infected people are over 45 years of age, having been exposed to contaminated intravenous injections during Egypt's anti-Bilharzia treatment campaign in the 1960s.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 32 Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. The three main variations (A, B and C) are caused by infections from parasites, bacteria or viruses, but are transmitted by different means.

Malaria

Very limited malaria risk – primarily due to P. vivax and P. falciparum – may exist from June through October in scattered rural areas of El Faiyum governorate (no indigenous cases reported since 1998). Urban centres, including Cairo and Alexandria, are risk-free. Because of the low risk to visitors, prophylaxis is not recommended.

Malaria is a serious parasitic infection, transmitted by the bite of the Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms can be flu-like and include a high fever, joint pain, anaemia, chills and headaches; if left untreated, symptoms can quickly complicate and become life-threatening. While pre-departure courses of anti-malarial prophylactics are available, these do not guarantee immunity to malaria. Caught early, malaria can be treated easily with a range of anti-malarial medications.

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis has been reported countrywide in rural and periurban areas, including Cairo. Primary risk areas include the Suez Canal Zone, the Nile River Delta, and the Sinai Peninsula (primarily north eastern Sinai).

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infection transmitted by the bite of sand flies, which are most active during early morning and late evening hours. Symptoms of cutaneous leishmaniasis include swollen glands and sores; symptoms of visceral leishmaniasis include fever, swelling of the liver or spleen and weight loss. Leishmaniasis can be treated with a course of Amphotericin B, an antifungal.

Schistosomiasis

Urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis are widespread in the Nile River Delta, throughout the Nile Valley (particularly in the canals and irrigation ditches in rural farming areas) and along the Suez Canal. Areas above the Aswan Dam are thought to be heavily infected.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 33 Schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia or katayama fever) is a parasitic infection, transmitted through contact with infected water sources, usually freshwater lakes or rivers. Saltwater and chlorinated pools are not affected by schistosomiasis. Symptoms include a rash, fever, muscle pain, abdominal pain and the enlargement of the spleen and/or liver. The disease can be treated via the administration of praziquantel. If left untreated, schistosomiasis can cause serious chronic gastrointestinal or central nervous system diseases.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Egypt has more confirmed H5N1 cases than any country outside of the Asia-Pacific region, putting the country at high risk for human transmission of the avian flu virus.

Avian influenza is a class of viral infections, including H5N1 and H7N9, which can be transmitted through contact with wild or domesticated birds. Symptoms are flu-like, and include fever, muscle aches, coughing, as well pneumonia and – in severe cases – respiratory failure. Treatment includes a course of antivirals.

Swine Flu variant (H1N1)

At least 16 deaths from the H1NA influenza virus (commonly known as swine flu) were reported in January 2014. No major outbreak has been reported.

Swine flu variant (H1N1v) is a viral infection transmitted via close physical contact with infected pigs, by close physical contact with an infected person or via the coughing and sneezing of infected persons. Symptoms include fever, coughing, irritated eyes, vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea and lack of appetite. While there is no cure for swine flu, infected persons may receive a course of antivirals and antibiotics to alleviate severe symptoms.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 34 Recent incidents

23 August 2021 - 07 September 2021 Medium risk: Chinese officials suspend flights from Frankfurt, Phnom Penh and Cairo on 23 August-6 September - Update Air China flight CA432 from Frankfurt Airport (FRA/EDDF) in Germany, Cambodia Airways flight KR961 from Phnom Penh Airport (PNH/VDPP) in Cambodia and Sichuan Airlines flight 3U8392 from Cairo Airport (CAI/HECA) in Egypt to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU/ZUUU) in China will be suspended from 23 August for two weeks, due to COVID-19.

18 August 2021 - 19 August 2021 Moderate risk: Kuwait allows direct flights to and from India, other countries - Update Kuwaiti authorities announced that the country allowed direct flights to and from Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, following COVID-19-related restrictions. It was not immediately clear if the entry ban from those countries was also lifted. Authorities, however, allowed the entry of residents who have received Sinopharm, Sinovac and Sputnik V vaccine outside of Kuwait, provided they take one dose of Kuwaiti-approved vaccine after arrival.

09 August 2021 - 10 August 2021 Moderate risk: Russia to resume flights with multiple countries from 9 August - Update Russia will resume flights with Egypt, Bahrain, the Dominican Republic and Moldova starting 9 August, easing international flight restrictions that had been in place due to COVID-19.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 35 Covid-19: High Risk

Summary

Egypt, the Arab world's most populous country, has registered the second highest COVID-19 death toll in Africa since the outbreak began. Several villages in governorates that are popular with tourists or are home to regular travellers who work or reside in Italy and other European countries, such as Luxor, Aswan and Damietta, have previously been under lockdown, but Cairo and Giza remain the worst-hit areas. Hundreds of new cases continue to be detected on a daily basis and tighter restrictions cannot be ruled out.

What is the current nationwide Policy?: Opening

Policy starts: 25 March 2020 Policy ends: indef

Policy explanation:

Some restrictions on movement and business operations remain in force until further notice.

Policy source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/coronavirus

Last update: 18 August 2021

Infection

Infection Level: Moderate 1.61 cases per 100k in the last 14 Infection rate: days As of date: 22 August 2021 Hotspots: Alexandria, Cairo, Giza

International Travel

International Flights

Is there a ban on international commercial flights? No

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 36 Through what date?

Flight Ban Explanation:

All airports have reopened. EgyptAir resumed international flights to Europe, the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, the United States (US) and the rest of the Middle East.

Last Update: 18 August 2021

Entry and Borders

Is there a ban on entry for any travellers? No Through what date?

Travellers from where are banned?

Land border: Partially Open Maritime border: Open

Entry Rules Explanation:

The border crossing with Rafah in Gaza is open.

Entry Rules: https://eg.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covid-19-information/ Last Update:

Testing

Do travellers need to take a COVID-19 test Yes When? Before travel Is it mandatory or optional? Mandatory Test Type: PCR Minimum age requirement: 6 Pre-travel test validity, in hours: 72 before Departure After arrival test days:

Testing Explanation:

All arriving travellers aged six and older, including Egyptian nationals, must present a negative

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 37 PCR test result for COVID-19 no older than 72 hours. Travellers arriving from some locations, including Japan, China, Thailand, North America, South America, New Zealand, Australia and Canada, as well as London Heathrow, Paris Charles De Gaulle and Frankfurt airports, will be permitted to enter with a PCR test no older than 96 hours.

Tourists flying into South Sinai, Red Sea and Matrouh governorates without a PCR test will be subject to testing on arrival at a cost of 30USD.

Travellers entering the country from locations which have high instances of COVID-19 variants may be requested to undergo a rapid-test to confirm their negative PCR test.

Only paper copies of the test results are accepted.

Testing https://www.egyptair.com/en/about-egyptair/news-and- Rules: press/Pages/EGYPTAIR%20is%20back%20to%20the%20Sky%20as%20of%2001July%202020.aspx Last 18 August 2021 Update:

Health and Travel Documentations

Do arriving travellers need any health and/or travel documentation? Yes

Documentation Explanation:

All travellers must fill in a Health Declaration form, which should be available on all international flights, and present it to Quarantine Authorities upon arrival in Egypt.

Last Update: 18 August 2021

Tracing App

Do travellers need to use a contact tracing app after arriving? No

Tracing App Explanation:

There is no national contact tracing app.

Last Update: 18 August 2021

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 38 Quarantine on Arrival

Who needs to quarantine on arrival None

Travellers from where need to quarantine?

How many days is quarantine? Is it self-quarantine or operated by the government? Self

Quarantine Explanation:

There is no requirement for foreign travellers arriving at any airport to quarantine. Only those showing symptoms will be forced to isolate at a local hospital.

Tourists flying into South Sinai, Red Sea and Matrouh governorates who are subject to testing on arrival are required to self-quarantine at their hotel until a result is obtained (usually within 24 hours). If testing positive, travellers will be required to self-isolate for 14 days in a separate part of the hotel allocated for quarantine.

Quarantine Rules: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/entry-requirements Last Update: 2021-08-18

Exit

Is there a ban on exit for any travellers? No

Are there special requirements to exit the country? No

Exit Requirements Explanation:

Exit Requirements (URL): Last Update: 18 August 2021

Vaccination

Percent vaccinated with at least one dose: 4.221 as of 16 Aug 2021 Percent fully vaccinated: 2.78 as of 25 Aug 2021 Is vaccination mandatory for entry? No

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 39 Are vaccinated travellers exempt from any policies or requirements? Yes Exemptions: Testing Qualified vaccines and timeline: Pfizer - 14 days after second dose. AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) - 14 days after second dose. Johnson & Johnson - 14 days after first dose. Sinovac - 14 days after second dose. Moderna - 14 days after second dose. Sputnik V - 14 days after second dose. Sinopharm Phase 2 - 14 days after second dose. Certificates accepted: Not Specified

Explanation:

Travellers who were fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to departure with COVID-19 vaccines approved by Egyptian authorities or the WHO, except those who were in countries/regions with mutated variants of COVID-19 including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Brazil and other Latin American countries during the previous 14 days, were allowed to enter without a negative PCR test result for COVID-19.

Source: https://eg.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covid-19-information/ Last Update: 18 August 2021

Other International Travel Restrictions

Exit Requirements Explanation:

Last Update:

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 40 Domestic Situation

Areas on Lockdown

Last Update:

Areas under Curfew

Last Update:

Domestic Travel

Domistic Travel Explanation:

Domestic flights are operating. Public transport services are allowed to operate until 00:00 local time.

Last Update: 18 August 2021

Other Domestic Restrictions

Stores, malls, cafes, restaurants, parks and beaches are open.

Hotels are allowed to operate so long as they follow new health guidelines and operate at reduced capacity. The maximum capacity limit at hotels, restaurants, cinemas and theatres is at 70 percent.

Last Update: 18 August 2021

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 41 Resources

Health Dept COVID Site: https://www.care.gov.eg/EgyptCare/Index.aspx

Recent incidents

23 August 2021 - 07 September 2021 Medium risk: Chinese officials suspend flights from Frankfurt, Phnom Penh and Cairo on 23 August-6 September - Update Air China flight CA432 from Frankfurt Airport (FRA/EDDF) in Germany, Cambodia Airways flight KR961 from Phnom Penh Airport (PNH/VDPP) in Cambodia and Sichuan Airlines flight 3U8392 from Cairo Airport (CAI/HECA) in Egypt to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU/ZUUU) in China will be suspended from 23 August for two weeks, due to COVID-19.

18 August 2021 - 19 August 2021 Moderate risk: Kuwait allows direct flights to and from India, other countries - Update Kuwaiti authorities announced that the country allowed direct flights to and from Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, following COVID-19-related restrictions. It was not immediately clear if the entry ban from those countries was also lifted. Authorities, however, allowed the entry of residents who have received Sinopharm, Sinovac and Sputnik V vaccine outside of Kuwait, provided they take one dose of Kuwaiti-approved vaccine after arrival.

09 August 2021 - 10 August 2021 Moderate risk: Russia to resume flights with multiple countries from 9 August - Update Russia will resume flights with Egypt, Bahrain, the Dominican Republic and Moldova starting 9 August, easing international flight restrictions that had been in place due to COVID-19.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 42 Local Travel : Medium Risk

Local Travel

Road conditions are often poor in Egypt. Lane markings are ignored by local drivers and turn signals and side mirrors treated as optional accessories. Taxis are the recommended form of transportation as they offer a cheap and readily available alternative to braving the risks of the road. Their amenities vary widely. If you have a car and can afford the luxury, by all means consider hiring a driver for between LE600 and LE1000 a month (between USD100 and USD175). Public transport, including buses, is far less expensive, but carries a heightened risk of petty theft and overcrowding.

A variety of transport options are available for travel between cities. These include mini-buses, trains, aeroplanes, taxis, and private cars. A very good domestic network for air travel exists, and remains the best option for reliability and safety; however, foreign nationals pay nearly four times as much as locals due to a two-tier system, making this an expensive option.

From January 2016 travellers travelling to destinations in the Sinai Peninsula via the Ahmed Hamdi tunnel are required to present evidence of a hotel booking or property rental/ownership agreement in order to enter the peninsula.

Travel Safety

Air Travel and Airports: Most international flights fly into Cairo International Airport (CAI/HECA), located about 15km (9.3 miles) from the downtown area. The airport is serviced by a number of international carriers, including EgyptAir. Egypt's national airline underwent a transformation in 2005. It is now customer-service oriented, with new airport facilities and multilingual, friendly operators.

The 31 October 2015 downing of a Russian Kogalymavia passenger plane carrying 224 people shortly after its take-off from Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport (SSH/HESH), allegedly by a bomb planted aboard the plane by the Sinai Province terror group, a regional affiliate of the Islamic State, has raised serious questions about the safety and security of Sharm el-Sheikh Airport, and airports in Egypt as a whole. A number of countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland and Russia have cancelled all flights through SSH.

Airport capacities at peak times are nearly saturated; long queues can be expected. Allow plenty of time for check-in and collection of your tourist visa (obtainable at the airport).

Electronics, including laptops and video cameras, should be for personal use and should be checked upon arrival and departure to avoid the collection of strict duties. The items may also be recorded in your passport to ensure that they are not sold. It is prohibited to export any antiquity or any item older than 100 years without a licence.

Some airport taxi drivers may offer to take you to a hotel run by their brother or distant relative, offering substantial discounts. These drivers are paid a commission for their service. Decline politely and insist firmly on your agreed upon destination. Drivers who profess not to know where your hotel is located once you are already in their cab are likely attempting a con. Confirm your destination before accepting transport and if the driver claims ignorance simply get out and hail the next

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 43 available cab.

Road Travel: Road conditions in Egypt are often poor and the incidence of vehicular accidents is one of the highest in the world. A report released by the Egyptian government in 2014 revealed that 33,000 people died and 155,000 were injured in about 100,000 road accidents between 2008 and 2012, approximately 6,000 deaths annually. According to the report, the most common causes of accidents were excessive speed (16 percent) and overtaking other vehicles (12 percent).

A combination of erratic driving, poorly maintained roads and vehicles, and the lack of traffic regulation enforcement make driving in the major cities of Egypt a hazard to be avoided wherever possible. Traffic within cities (especially Cairo) is heavy, and made virtually impassable where red lights and lane markings are ignored, as they often are.

Travel outside of large cities after dark can be especially hazardous without sufficient street lighting. The problem is compounded by the failure of most drivers to turn on their headlights. Also, since trucks are banned from the city during the day, at night they hurtle in from the Suez and Alexandria in droves. Avoid driving at night outside of Cairo if you can.

For intercity travel outside the official routes, permission must be obtained from the local authorities. Special permits are required to visit border areas, including the border with Libya and off-road areas in the Sinai; they may be obtained from the Travel Permits Department of the Ministry of the Interior in Cairo.

Riskline advises against off-road driving unless accompanied by an experienced guide. Unmarked minefields affect regions that include the Sinai, parts of the Red Sea coast, the Mediterranean Sea area west of El Alamein as well as the border regions with Sudan and Libya.

Public Transport

Boats/Ferries: Boating in Egypt has suffered some recent blows to its reputation. On 22 July 2015, 35 people were killed after a passenger ferry collided with a cargo barge on the Nile River near al-Warraq, Giza governorate, during late evening hours. Barges have since been banned from operating on the Nile during evening hours. In February 2006, a ferry carrying about 1,400 people, most of them Egyptians, sank in the Red Sea about 80km (50 miles) off the Egyptian coast during an overnight journey from Duba in Saudi Arabia to Safaga. While safety standards may not be as rigorous as those in the West, Nile cruises and the options available to those with more latitude in pricing are both safe and reliable.

Buses: Metropolitan buses are available in larger cities. Stops are not clearly marked and passengers hop on and off while the bus is still moving. There are two staff members on buses: the driver and a man towards the back who will take your fare when you get on.

Cairo's old white municipal buses should be avoided. At just 50 Piasters (USD0.08), they tend to get crowded with locals. More importantly, breakdowns and road accidents are not infrequent. New green buses are cleaner and cost between LE1 and LE2 (between USD 0.17 and USD 0.34).

Several bus companies exist to offer frequent intercity service, Pullmann, East/West Delta, and Super Jet being the most common. These services are available at different locations depending on the city.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 44 Ticket prices vary depending on the quality of the travel experience. Air conditioning tends to increase the fare substantially.

Metro: The metro is clean and extremely easy to move through. Trains run from 05:30 until 00:00 in the winter months and until 01:00 in the summer. The first two compartments of each train are reserved for women (women can also travel in the other compartments; however, men have no access to the women's compartments). Keep your ticket for exiting to avoid paying an LE10 (US 1.80) fine.

Alexandria offers clean, safe and inexpensive streetcars. Men are not permitted to travel in the cars reserved for women (these are generally found towards the back of the streetcar).

Mini-buses and Micro-buses: Government-run mini-buses have fixed routes, fixed fares, and fixed stops and are painted white with an orange stripe; microbuses are government licensed vans that operate on fixed routes with scaled fares and no fixed stops. These are generally cheap, reliable and safe options, although non-Arabic speakers are cautioned that most drivers do not speak English.

Taxis: Most foreign nationals and middle- to upper-middle-class city-dwellers will use taxis exclusively. White, air-conditioned taxis in Cairo (Capital Taxi, City Cab, and Cairo Radio Cab) are metered at LE5 base with LE1.75 per kilometre and LE14 for an hour of wait time. Hail the taxi off the street or look for taxi stands off major arteries. Hotel taxis generally charge up to 10 times more than what you would pay for a taxi hailed off the street.

What one will pay in the more common taxi alternative, aging black-and-white Fiats and Ladas, depends not only on distance travelled but also time of day and state of traffic. Meters rarely work but, if they do, they are routinely ignored because they have not been recalibrated to keep up with soaring inflation. During rush hours, don't hesitate to share. Just call out your destination to any cab, occupied or not, and disregard the meter. Tipping is uncommon, although many drivers are likely to expect more from you if they see that you are a foreign visitor. Don't haggle over price unless you're interested in spending the better part of your ride arguing. Know what to pay as a fair price and pay when you exit. Having an idea of what the trip should cost will help to curb the inflation experienced by foreign nationals. Upon arriving at the destination, some drivers will attempt to increase the agreed price. If you've kept your belongings with you, as we suggest you do, you are free to go. Women should avoid sitting in the front seat.

Ride-hailing companies Uber and Careem operate in major cities throughout the country and services can be booked online or via a downloadable app. Although services are likely to be more expensive than traditional taxis, an estimated price is agreed upon during the booking process. Both companies have faced backlash from traditional taxi services, however, Egypt’s supreme administrative court ruled in February 2019 that Uber and Careem can continue to operate across the country.

In April 2009, the Egyptian government announced plans to replace 50,000 of Cairo's fleet of 70,000 taxis with metered, air-conditioned cars assembled in Egypt using kits from firms like General Motors, Hyundai, Chery and Peugeot. The new white cabs generally will have working meters that are regularly reset with official oversight.

Trains: Trains in Egypt are aging and the rail network is state-owned and -operated. Egyptian National

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 45 Railways remains, nevertheless, an affordable intercity travel option, offering services from Ramses Station, located on Midan Ramses in the Cairo city centre. The air-conditioned passenger trains are comfortable, and it is recommended that you travel first class. Reserved seats are essential and must be purchased in advance from an individual booking window or online. Since the beginning of 2021, there were five reported derailments, including one that killed at least eight people and injured 28 others near Benha, Qalyubia governorate, and another that killed 32 and injured 66 others near Tahta station in Sohag governorate. Such fatal accidents are becoming increasingly common across Egypt due to poor maintenance and inadequate safety standards, especially at level crossings. Accidents are more likely south of Cairo, where stations generally receive less funds for maintenance.

In the last few years, accidents in and north of Cairo have increased, however. On 27 February 2019, at least 25 people were killed and 40 others were injured after a train engine crashed into a barrier triggering an explosion and fire at Ramses Station in Cairo. On 11 August 2017, at least 49 people were killed and over 120 were wounded after the Number 13 Cairo-Alexandria express collided with the Number 571 Port Said-Alexandria train between Alexandria's Sidi Gaber and Khorshed stations. In response to these accidents, the government has arrested numerous transport officials on negligence and corruption charges and announced that it would invest millions to carry out the necessary upgrade and maintenance works, but conditions have not improved since then and they are unlikely to significantly improve in the near-term. Whenever possible, to opt for air travel to reach domestic destinations.

Vehicle Hire: Riskline strongly advises against driving in Egyptian cities. Chauffeured options, like Limousine Mist, charge LE168 (USD30) plus mileage for six hours in good, air-conditioned cars with English-speaking drivers. These are far more expensive than taxis, but you can be assured of reliable and courteous service.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 46 Recent incidents

25 August 2021 - 27 August 2021 Moderate risk: Maintenance works to disrupt water supplies in some areas of Cairo on 25-26 August Local sources reported that water supplies will be disrupted in some areas of Cairo, including at and around Ain Shams Sharkeya, Al-Fath Mosque, Al Ismailia Square, Fareed Semeika Street, Hikestep, New Nozha and El Hijaz Square, from 10:00 to 02:00 local time (08:00-00:00 GMT) on 25- 26 August, due to maintenance works.

21 August 2021 - 22 August 2021 Moderate risk: Water supply disruptions planned in some areas of Cairo due to maintenance works on 21 August Local sources reported that water supply will be disrupted in some areas of Cairo, including at and around Al-Galaa Hospital, Almaza Air Base, Ard El Golf, Triumph Square, Al tayaran Hospital, as well as areas to the east of Helwan, throughout 21 August, due to maintenance works.

16 August 2021 - 17 August 2021 Medium risk: Large fire reported in Sadat City, Monufia Local sources indicated that a large fire was underway at a chemicals factory in Sadat City in Monufia as of afternoon hours local time. Emergency operations are underway; no further details were immediately available.

04 August 2021 - 05 August 2021 Moderate risk: Passenger train derails near Tima station in Sohag governorate Initial reports indicated that train services were disrupted after at least three carriages of the No. 188 passenger train travelling between Cairo and Aswan, derailed near Tima station in Sohag governorate, during early morning hours local time; further information on possible casualties was not immediately available.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 47 Country Hotspots

Cities, Towns, Villages: Crime rates in Egypt, and particularly Cairo, are astonishingly low, despite an overall increase in reported incidents since the 2011 ouster of Hosni Mubarak. While incidents of violence are extremely rare, petty crime, as in any large city, is not uncommon. Visitors should ensure personal belongings are secure and adhere to instructions provided by local authorities.

Public demonstrations occasionally take place in major squares and outside mosques and government buildings in Cairo and other urban hubs. Areas surrounding universities are also common sites for demonstrations. Roads in these areas may be closed and an increased security force will be present. Riskline recommends avoiding demonstrations whenever possible as a precaution. Keep abreast of local development by tracking English language outlets available in any major Egyptian city.

Regions: The Sinai Peninsula has been the site of a number of terrorist attacks and violent demonstrations. Islamist militant groups, including Wilayat Sina (Sinai Province), an Islamic State (IS) affiliate formerly known as Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, are active across North Sinai and South Sinai governorates and have shown the capability and intent to carry out attacks on government infrastructure, security forces and tourist sites. In February 2014, several foreign tourists were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up on a coach bus in the city of Taba. Riskline advises deferral of non-essential travel to North and South Sinai governorates.

As a result of attacks on civilians, the security around Red Sea coastal resorts has been developed extensively by the Ministry of the Interior. Security at Sharm el-Sheikh Airport (SSH/HESH) is exceptionally thorough and metal detectors have been installed at the front entrances of all major hotels, restaurants and tourist sites on the coast. Police roadblocks for vehicle spot-checking are visible expressions of this security agenda. Egyptians and people of Arab origin are likely to attract more attention than foreign nationals.

The 250-kilometre (155-mile) Egyptian-Israeli border is a main conduit for traffickers paid to smuggle mainly African migrants to the Jewish state for work or asylum. Egyptian police patrol the border regularly and are known to fire on sight if they suspect an illegal crossing into Israel. An unusually high number of migrants looking for work were killed by suspicious border guards in 2007. If travelling near the border region, follow the directions of Egyptian authorities explicitly and avoid straying near the fence at any point along its length. Planned travel between Egypt and Israel via the Taba/Eilat border crossing should be referred to the Egyptian Embassy in Israel or the Israeli Embassy in Egypt to determine the status of the crossing terminal. The Rafah crossing point to Gaza has been periodically closed, and is frequently the scene of violent demonstrations and gun violence.

Islamist violence linked to groups based in the Sinai has increased since the ouster of Mohammed Morsi in 2013. No longer confined to the peninsula, gun and bomb attacks have targeted security forces in the three Suez Canal cities, in the Nile Delta and across Cairo. While the targets of these attacks has primarily been security forces and symbols of the government, militant groups have vowed to attack Egypt's economic interests and attacks on civilians, foreign visitors or areas they frequent cannot be ruled out.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 48 Safety

Beaches and Public Areas: Egypt has both public and private beaches. Private beaches are host to both Egyptians and foreign visitors wearing western-style bathing suits. These require an admission fee, but often have nicer facilities. On public beaches, there are fewer foreign nationals and a higher incidence of harassment for women. Almost all Egyptian women bathe in their clothes.

Begging: Beggars are a fact of life throughout Egypt. Since it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam to give alms to the poor, there is little shame, if any, associated with begging. It is simply considered the beggars' lot in life. Be advised of one strong deterrent to making any donations: you will often immediately be surrounded by others demanding their share, especially where children are involved.

Food and Drink: Visitors often suffer from stomach ailments. These are mostly caused by raw or undercooked dishes, contaminated water, and fruit juices. Avoid uncooked vegetables, salads, and unpasteurised milk.

Hazardous and Closed Territories: The Rafah border is not accessible to foreign passport holders, however, international and aid workers may be allowed to enter or exit at this crossing point. Riskline recommends against travel along the Egypt-Gaza border due to violence, including bombings and shootings, in the area. If you do plan to cross into Gaza, we suggest contacting the Egyptian Embassy in Israel or the Israeli Embassy in Egypt, as the border is sometimes closed.

Permits are required to travel in the Eastern Desert located south of Shams Allam, off-road in the Western Desert, in the Lake Nasser area, between the Bahariyya and Siwa oases, and in the areas bordering Libya. Permits are issued by the Ministry of Interior or the Border Police and may be obtained through a travel agency a fortnight in advance. Permits for travel between the oases are given by each town's military intelligence office. We suggest visiting each town's tourist office for help.

Hot Air Balloon Flights: On 26 February 2013, a hot air balloon carrying more than 20 people - mostly British, French and Asian tourists - crashed just west of Luxor, 515km (320 miles) south of Cairo. At least 19 tourists were killed in the accident. Local authorities responded by temporarily suspending all hot air balloon rides, which are popular among foreign tourists visiting Luxor. A similar incident in April 2009 left 16 people injured when a balloon struck a mobile phone transmission tower near the banks of the Nile.

Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance: Egypt is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, holding an estimated 21 percent of the world's total number of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in an area stretching from the border with Libya to the city of El Alamein, site of a decisive World War Two battle. The affected area, approximately 235,000 hectares of Mediterranean coastline and desert hinterland, comprises a landmass of approximately 22 percent of the national territory of Egypt. The Egyptian army has estimated that 16.7 million explosive items have still to be found.

Egypt's central Sinai region is another area thought to be contaminated with mines left from the 1967 Middle East war with Israel. On 19 June 2008, one of these mines killed two Bedouin children near the village of al-Qassima.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 49 Affected areas are often left unidentified, but will sometimes be surrounded by barbed wire. Areas which potentially have unexploded landmines include the Mediterranean shore, the Western Desert, the Sinai, and the western shore of the Gulf of Suez. Drivers should take care when driving over sand build-up on roadways following heavy rains. Riskline recommends seeking local advice when travelling in these areas, especially if travelling off-road.

Local Officials: Officials may expect a tip to expedite whatever needs to be done. This ranges from the post office to official papers. Riskline does not recommend tipping in these cases as it does not help matters much and only sets a precedent.

Police: Police and security forces employ considerable effort to ensure the safety and security of foreign visitors. Enhanced security arrangements are maintained, especially at airports and tourist sites. Egyptian police may insist on escorting organised tour groups in some areas, such as the Western Oases and the Sinai.

Pollution: Cairo's skyline is often obscured by smog and the effects of pollution. This problem can be exacerbated by high temperatures in the summer.

Power Outages: Power outages in large cities are not uncommon and have increased in frequency in recent years. They occur about once a day, but only for a short period of time. On average, outages last about one hour. Rural areas also experience regular outages. It is suggested than you turn off all appliances before leaving for an extended period.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 50 Culture

Cultural/Political Sensitivities: Cultural sensitivities include touching, homosexuality, and public displays of affection. Men often hold hands and touch; this behaviour is not associated with homosexuality. Public displays of affection are frowned upon.

Bargaining is part of Egyptian culture and used for almost everything. In some cases, as in restaurants, it is not appropriate to bargain. Some vendors will raise their price when they see a foreign visitor, while others will quote the price locals pay. We suggest you familiarise yourself with the cost of items before shopping.

Tipping, referred to as baksheesh, is often expected for both solicited and unsolicited services (from taking a picture with a man's camel to asking and receiving travel directions). Waiters and hotel staff should also be tipped, as the 12 percent service charge is not part of their salary. Keep in mind that the vast majority of Cairenes are poor or barely scraping by. You will probably note that wealthier Cairenes tend to tip generously. If you are a foreign national, who most likely falls into this same relative category, you might do the same. We recommend carrying plenty of small change at all times and keeping this separate from larger bills, to avoid the awkward pause that follows recognition of how much you can afford to part with.

Finally, one should refrain from engaging in political discussions in public and especially with strangers. Since mid-2014, several foreign nationals and Egyptians holding dual citizenship were detained or arrested after third parties reported to police that they were allegedly discussing ways to harm the Egyptian state or making derogatory comments about the government. Avoid discussing certain topics including political leadership, the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, sexuality and religion.

Religious Sensitivities: Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country and Egyptian society is relatively conservative. Visitors should dress modestly, with shoulders and legs covered at all times. While it is not necessary for women to cover their hair in public, it will be required when entering religious spaces such as mosques. Although Egypt has relaxed standards of dress for foreign visitors compared to other countries in the region, Riskline strongly recommends that both men and women follow a conservative dress code as a matter of respect. This will also help to deflect any unwanted attention.

During the Ramadan fasting month, Muslims are not supposed to eat, drink, or smoke from dawn to dusk. The vast majority of Egyptian Muslims observe the fast. It is considerate for visitors not to consume anything publicly during this period.

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 51 Specific Traveller Advice

Female Travellers Local Customs and Laws: There are some local customs that a female traveller should take into consideration in Egypt, which has prominent sections of conservative Muslims and Christians. Women's clothing should be loose-fitting and concealing, with high necks, skirts worn well below the knee and sleeves below the elbow; wearing a traditional headscarf (hijab) to fully cover your hair is mandatory when visiting mosques. It is not socially acceptable for unmarried women to stay with their male companions in the same room at a lodging. While foreign national couples will unlikely be asked to produce documentation that verifies their marital status, it is best to identify any male travelling partner as your husband if questioned. Consider wearing a wedding ring. Physical contact between men and women is frowned upon in public. Visitors suspected of flouting local customs will face harsh criticism from locals. Some coffee houses are considered no-go areas for women, especially if they are travelling alone, as it is not customary. Dress according to the country’s culture and blend in and try not to draw attention to yourself. Familiarise yourself with your destination prior to travel, and be respectful and mindful of any cultural sensitivities, which may include dress, behaviour and topics of discussions, as there are some political and cultural sensitivities prevalent in the country.

Safety: There are many safety concerns that a female traveller should take into consideration in Egypt. Foreign female travellers may receive unwanted attention from local men, ranging from open displays of catcalling, whistling, stalking and staring to physical groping, including in the capital Cairo, notably at the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, and other major cities like Alexandria; the risk on public holidays is higher when more men are on the streets. It is best to ignore these advances and walk away. Consider walking in groups or with a trusted male counterpart to deter street harassment. There have been numerous reports of sexual assault of women reported in Cairo’s Tahrir Square during demonstrations and in poorly-lit and rural areas, and on public transportation; female visitors should avoid all large gatherings. During the daytime consider sitting in women-only compartments to minimise the risk of sexual assaults onboard trains and buses in Cairo. Do not travel alone at night, especially in deserted areas, beaches or villages. Avoid all forms of public transport at night, as instances of sexual assault on trains and buses are higher after dark. Use only official and registered taxis or reputed radio cabs. Opt for private, non-shared taxis; ensure the taxi is empty in the back before getting into the vehicle as there have been reports of assailants hiding at the back of vehicles to prey upon unsuspecting female travellers. Consider having a hotel shuttle or registered corporate chauffeur meet you at the airport upon arrival, particularly if arriving after dark. Be wary of members of armed forces/security personnel as there are instances where they have been instigators of violent crimes on women. There is corruption prevalent among police forces and police may not respond efficiently to reports of sexual assault which occur outside of urban areas. Female travellers should exercise caution when reporting crimes to local police, as many try to cover up cases in which security forces or government officials are involved. Consider consulting your home consulate/embassy for legal advice and ensure you receive a copy of the police report.

Health and Wellness: Women have access to some specialised gynaecological and reproductive

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 52 health services, medicines and products in Egypt, and most services are concentrated in Cairo, Alexandria and Sharm el-Sheikh. Specialised gynaecological/reproductive healthcare centres, as well as rape-kits, female-specific OTC drugs, emergency contraceptives and feminine hygiene products, are not available outside urban areas while prescription contraceptives are not available in the country. Abortion is only permitted to save a woman’s life or in cases of proven foetal defects. Consult a health professional prior to travel. Consider bringing an adequate supply of female-specific OTC products, feminine hygiene products and oral contraceptive pills, which may not be available locally.

LGBT+ Although Egyptian law does not technically criminalise homosexuality, authorities enforce a 1961 law against "prostitution and debauchery" against members of the LGBT+ community; the law carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. There are no legal protections for LGBT+ persons in the country. Same-sex marriage is illegal. LGBT+ activity and persons are not socially accepted. LGBT+ travellers are advised to keep their sexual orientation and gender identities private. Prior to travel, review your privacy settings on social media platforms and reconsider the use of dating applications due to the risk of harassment and possible entrapment by local authorities. Refrain from engaging in any conversations about sexuality or LGBT+ issues. Avoid all public displays of affection, including hand- holding. Book separate hotel rooms. Transgender travellers are advised to have a passport and identification changed to reflect their new gender before travelling.

Technology & Communication Risk Travellers are likely to face risks related to information and communication technology (ICT) in Egypt.

Internet access and social media have some restrictions. Internet and social media content that are deemed to be anti-government or anti-Islam cannot be accessed freely; any associated social media posting can be unlawful and users are subject to arrest and jail sentences. Authorities have intimidated and imprisoned journalists for publishing content deemed critical of the government.

There are some concerns related to device searches or sensitive technology. Device searches and inspections at the border are unlikely, but they can occur. Possession and usage of satellite phones and radio communication equipment are regulated in the country. Travellers are advised to seek prior approval from the Ministry of Telecommunications. Individuals caught with unauthorised devices risk having them confiscated. All drone use requires permission from civil aviation authorities; authorisation is rarely granted. State or criminal penetration of private data is likely. Authorities implement some state surveillance of ICT networks in the country.

Travellers should ensure that their ICT usage is compliant with local laws and regulations during their stay in the country. Travellers should expect possible restrictions in accessing specific internet websites/platforms and/or digital services. Posting specific content online may also be regulated. Travellers should note that ICT laws and practices are subject to change on short notice, and travellers are recommended to confirm the legality/appropriateness of their specific ICT needs prior to departure. Travellers should be prepared for possible device searches at the border and should ensure that their ICT devices are compliant with local laws and regulations prior to their arrival to the country. Travellers should be aware that the country enforces a limited degree of surveillance of telephone and electronic communications and travellers should remember that communication may

Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Egypt 53 be monitored. Online activities may be monitored. Cyber criminal groups may be present in the country. Exercise discretion in deciding to bring sensitive data into the country.

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