Dubai: Air Travel Protocols for Dubai Citizens, Residents and Visitors

The Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management in Dubai has issued new air travel protocols for Dubai citizens, residents and visitors. Citizens and residents are allowed to travel to any foreign destination, in line with measures taken by those countries on foreign arrivals. However, travelers will bear full responsibility for their actions and for checking the COVID-19 situation of the country they wish to visit, and for self-monitoring any symptoms they may experience. All citizens and residents will have to undergo a PCR test on arrival at Dubai airports. Airlines will have the right to deny travellers the right to travel if they are displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 Tourists will also be given the option to show their PCR test results (which would be valid for 96 hours) upon arrival in Dubai or to carry out a test at Dubai airports. All positive COVID-19 cases will be quarantined for 14 days, and travellers will have to bear the costs of treatment and isolation. From 22 June 2020 return approvals for Dubai residents will be carried out by Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs through a direct link with airlines. PCR tests are taken at Dubai airports and a14-day quarantine is imposed on all positive COVID-19 cases. From 23 June 2020 citizens and residents will be allowed to travel to foreign destinations, according to Dubai airports’ official flight schedules and subject to airports being operational at these destinations. PCR tests must be taken on their return at Dubai airports and there will be a 14-day quarantine impose for all positive COVID-19 cases.

The position will be the same for visitors but from 7 July. They will need to take a PCR test at the airport if they don’t have a valid test taken in the last 96 hours. The guidance also details the responsibilities of citizens, residents and tourists. They will be required to disclose any symptoms before travelling by filling in the form provided by their airline. They will need to ensure they have international health insurance coverage before travelling. In addition, citizens must notify UAE embassies if they are infected with COVID-19 while abroad. Residents and tourists will also bear the costs of examination and treatment abroad, in the event they are infected with COVID-19. Residents will need to pre-book flights through official websites of airlines operating at Dubai airports. They can fly on any airline which has approved flights to Dubai airports.

Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs will organise the arrival of residents. Residents will also need to sign a declaration stating their commitment to bear the costs of examination and treatment if they contract COVID-19. On arrival they must complete a Health Declaration Form before leaving their destination to ensure that they are clear of any symptoms. In addition, all arrivals will have to register their details on the COVID-19 DXB app. Residents and citizens will need to stay home until their PCR test results are available. If they test positive they will have to follow the 14-day quarantine. Home quarantine is possible if the conditions for quarantine there are met, according to official guidelines from the COVID-19 Command and Control Centre. Residents who test positive and home share or live in high density housing will be required to be isolated at a facility. Their employer will need to provide a quarantine facility or chose a government quarantine facility and bear those costs. In addition on arrival passengers will have their temperature taken with thermal screening devices. The PCR test can be repeated for tourists who had tested negative before departing but display COVID-19 symptoms. Full story

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