Now that Dubai is embracing the ‘new normal’ and allowing its residents to travel to and from the emirate, here are the things you should be aware of if you’re boarding an Emirates aircraft.
Below important points are shared by Airlink International’s Retail Sales Manager Geoffrey Salatan:
COVID- Negative Certificate to Enter Dubai:
UAE residents (Dubai and non-Dubai residents) traveling to Dubai are not required to travel with a COVID-negative certificate.
Residents with Dubai-issued visa can continue to travel as planned provided they have GDRFA approval.
Non-Dubai residents can travel provided they have an ICA approval.
If any local or country instruction exists, for example Pakistan, where passengers are required to carry COVID-negative certificate before departure, passengers will need to follow local guidelines.
Permit to Exit Dubai:
UAE residents (both Dubai and non-Dubai residents) traveling from Dubai are not required to seek government approval to leave Dubai. This rule is only applicable to residents traveling from other Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, and Umm al Quwain).
The entry of visitors and tourists to Dubai:
Effective 07 July 2020, tourists and visitors will be allowed to enter Dubai subject to airports being operational at their departure destinations. This is applicable for passengers who are eligible for a visa on arrival and those traveling on a pre-arranged visa. GDRFA approval is not required from Dubai Immigration for visitors and tourists.
Health Insurance:
Tourists/visitors will require travel insurance covering Covid-19 or declare that they will bear the costs for treatment and isolation if necessary before they travel. Tourists must also bring an insurance certificate stating Covid-19 coverage with them to check-in.
PCR Test:
Tourists/visitors can do a PCR test in their country 96 hours before the flight and bring the Covid-19 negative certificate with them.
PCR tests will be available on arrival for all tourists/visitors who have not done a test in their home country.
All passengers will need to take PCR tests either before travel on at arrival and this test will be free of cost.
Tourists/visitors who do the PCR test on arrival in Dubai must wait in the hotel until the PCR test result is communicated to them.
If the test result is negative, they are free to leave their hotel.
If the test result is positive, they must follow the health authority mandate, including self-isolation.
Tourists/visitors will need to fill in the health declaration form and quarantine undertaking form. Both forms need to be printed, completed, and handed over to the Dubai Health Authority staff at arrival.
All passengers are required to download and register with the Dubai Health Authority “COVID19 – DXB Smart App”.
