UAE: Travel bans, flight suspensions & new COVID-19 safety rules you must know

HiDubai Newswire -

Federal and local authorities have announced a new Covid safety rules that include flight suspensions, travel bans

From January 10, unvaccinated Emiratis, despite being eligible, will not be permitted to travel. The move will protect UAE citizens amid the “global epidemiological situation and the current high rate of infections”, according to a joint statement issued by the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) and National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA).

Fully vaccinated Emiratis need to get a booster dose of the vaccine when they are eligible for it. Unvaccinated citizens will be permitted to travel only if they are medically exempted from taking the vaccine. Humanitarian cases and individuals travelling for medical and treatment purposes will be permitted as well.

According to the latest update posted on Emirate Airline’s website, passengers originating from the following destinations will not be accepted for travel to or through Dubai with effect from December 28, 2021, until further notice:

•Republic of Angola (LAD)

•Republic of Guinea (CKY)

•Republic of Kenya (NBO)

•United Republic of Tanzania (DAR)

•Republic of Uganda (EBB)

•Republic of Ghana (ACC)

•Republic of Cote d'Ivoire (ABJ)

•Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (ADD)

•Zambia (LUN)

•Zimbabwe (HRE).

The Dubai International Airport is carrying out random Covid-19 PCR tests on passengers arriving on some flights.

Residents from some countries travelling to Dubai need a GDRFA or ICA approval when travelling from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Sudan.

Emirates Airline stated on its website,

“This does not apply to passengers who have other visas, such as newly issued residence or employment visas, short stay or long stay visa, holders of 10 year UAE Golden visa, Investor or Partner visa, visit visa or visa on arrival,”

In addition to a negative result of a PCR test conducted within 48 hours of travel, passengers from these countries need to undergo a rapid PCR test at the departure airport within six hours of the flight.

Emirates states that passengers arriving in Dubai from the following countries will be required to take another Covid‑19 PCR test on arrival:

  • Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Rwanda, Russia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Somaliland, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

News Source: Khaleej Times