FILE - Air Cairo jetEgypt's journey of bringing home thousands of stranded citizens in time of coronavirus pandemic CAIRO - 11 April 2020: Since the suspension of international aviation on March 19, Egypt operated exceptional flights to bring home thousands of stranded Egyptians. Minister of Immigration and Expatriate Affairs Nabila Makram told TV host Amr Adib on Friday that stranded Egyptians are classified into categories that are citizens who have been on business trips and tourism trips, were visiting relatives, and students who had to leave the dorms and have nowhere to stay. CAIRO – 27 April 2020: An Air Cairo flight carrying 141 stranded Egyptians from Germany's Frankfurt arrived in Marsa Alam International Airport on Sunday evening, and passengers were transported to the hotel where they will be quarantined for 14 days.On the same day, a flight carrying 234 stranded Egyptians from Thailand and Malaysia landed in the coastal resort town, and the passengers were also transported to the quarantine hotel.Both flights come within the second batch of exceptional flights to bring home Egyptians stuck abroad because of COVID-19 outbreak, and aviation suspension. "Aviation suspension in Egypt began on March 19, excluding domestic and cargo flights from the suspension. Hence, Egyptian authorities approved as long as they go through coronavirus tests, instructing the travel agencies to ensure the visitors' visas duration is extended by the Ministry of Interior, and informing their respective countries of their desire.

Source: Egypt Today April 27, 2020 10:07 UTC