02 July

Egypt has reopened tourist attractions that were shut down in late March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Precautionary measures were in place at the Giza pyramids on Wednesday. Visitors had their temperatures checked and lanes were set up to ensure social distancing at ticket booths.

But with only some international flights resuming, visitors were sparse at the previously packed site.

A woman from Morocco, who has been stuck in Egypt due to the virus outbreak, said she's happy to be able to see the pyramids. She added that she hopes the virus crisis will be over soon so that life can return to normal again.

The owner of a souvenir shop near the pyramids opened for business for the first time in around three months. He said he's glad to see the site reopen, but visitors are still few and he hopes the numbers will gradually increase.

The Egyptian government resumed economic activities from late June. But it must also focus on measures to stem the spread of the virus, as the country is still reporting more than 1,000 new cases a day.

NHK