Due to the recent Novel Coronavirus pandemic global lockdown, Dubai had sealed its borders for international travel for three months. Dubai authorities have since relaxed the country’s border limitations and permitted tourists entry within from July 7 2020. Any persons travelling into Dubai will need to abide by a list of strict rules and regulations, intended to protect against further rise in infection cases. What are these safety guidelines visitors planning their entry into Dubai need to adhere by? Let’s find out.
Health Guidelines for Travelers to Dubai
With travel restrictions gradually being relaxed, winter travel into Dubai is expected to gather steam. As with almost every other country, stringent travel regulations have been formulated for incoming travellers to follow. Same apply for UAE when attempting to enter via Dubai International Airport.
- If you are planning to travel to Dubai, you must submit to a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nasal swab test before you fly from your country of residence. Children are exempted from this rule.
- Individuals who fail to provide test results for a PCR nasal swab test May face boarding issue from airlines.
- If tested positive after arrival in Dubai, the visitor will be asked to observe 14 days in isolation. They will be sent to hotels specially set up by the Dubai government for this purpose or even transferred to a hospital.
- Individuals who are able to furnish documents for a PCR nasal swab test carried out within 96 hours from flight time, stating that they are COVID negative will not need to submit to medic screening on arrival in Dubai. They, along with individuals who test COVID negative at the Dubai airport screening, will not have to observe quarantine.
Indian Tourists May Take Note
Air India is one of the Indian flight operators currently operating flights to Dubai and bookings on these flights are open till further notice. If you wish to travel to Dubai on an Air India flight, you can make a booking via their website, call centre or other authorized travel agents. Currently, the flight operator is only allowing Dubai flights to be booked for Indian nationals with a valid resident and tourist of Dubai, with stamped copy on their passport. Here is some other information you’d do well to keep in mind –
- UAE Government has allowed re-entry for individuals into its territory that it had previously granted resident permits to. If you have a stamped resident permit on your passport from the UAE, you can enter the country after taking ICA approval.
- You will also need the following documents in addition to your passport with a stamped resident permit from UAE, to facilitate your travel back into Dubai – a valid ICA or General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs approval, a valid PCR test confirming your COVID negative status from any government-approved lab, Health Declaration and Quarantine Undertaking form for Dubai and a download ALHOSN coronavirus DXB smart app. Please ensure that your ICA or GDRFA approval hasn’t expired – in which case, you will have to apply for fresh approval.
If you are planning to enter Abu Dhabi after reaching to Dubai then you must prepare for border formalities. Covid test at border is compulsory for all visitors entering in Abu Dhabi. Six months into Pandemic, rules for entry and exit are changing fast. Keep yourself updated by following Dubai Government guidelines.