UAE: Officials announce ban on flights from Indonesia and Afghanistan from July 11 as part of COVID-19 response /update 66

Event

Authorities in UAE will ban flights from Indonesia and Afghanistan from 23:59 July 11 as part of the ongoing COVID-19 response. The ban includes persons who were in these two countries in the past 14 days. Emirati nationals are also prohibited from traveling to Indonesia and Afghanistan. Transit passengers from the two countries will be banned from entering the UAE. Flights in transit to Indonesia and Afghanistan are exempt from the ban. There are some exemptions for persons returning to the UAE, including for Emirati nationals and business people who have prior approval. Exempted classes will be required to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival. A PCR test no older than 48 hours is required for entry. Further PCR tests will be conducted on arrival, on day four, and on day eight in the UAE.

Dubai-based carrier Emirates (EK) previously extended the suspension of flights from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka through at least July 15. The measure also bans passengers who have transited through the affected countries in the last 14 days before their arrival in the UAE. Emirati citizens, diplomatic passport holders, and official delegations are exempt from the measure. However, transit and cargo flights will continue to operate.

Other measures in effect in the UAE include:

• Authorities continue to maintain significant restrictions on travelers from various countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, India, Liberia, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia, and the DRC.

• Dubai Emirate requires UAE residents, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens, and permitted visitors traveling to Dubai to take a pre-travel PCR test, regardless of the country from which they are arriving. The PCR test must be taken no more than 72 hours before departure. Arrivals from some countries may be required to provide a test no older than 48 hours and undergo additional tests on arrival. Some travelers are required to quarantine.

• Some arrivals in Abu Dhabi must isolate for 5-10 days. A PCR test must be carried out 48 or 72 hours before your flight, even if transiting. Additional tests may be carried out on arrival.

• All travelers to the UAE must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result before their departure.

• Upon arrival at all airports in the UAE, stringent entry restrictions are enforced. They may include a PCR test before and on arrival, a health declaration form, health insurance with COVID-19 coverage, a mandatory quarantine period, and follow-up testing.

• Visitors can travel to Abu Dhabi by road but must have had a negative COVID-19 PCR test before travel. There is also a requirement for further testing if visitors and residents remain in Abu Dhabi for four days or longer.

• Tourists traveling to Dubai are required to complete a health declaration form and quarantine form. Tourists must have international health insurance before traveling. Tourists who test positive for COVID-19 must register on the COVID-19 DXB app and quarantine at a facility provided by the government for at least 10 days.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Persons intending to travel to or within the UAE are advised to review current COVID-19 restrictions regularly, particularly before departure. Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all business appointments and travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers.

Resources

Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship
World Health Organization
General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs Dubai
Abu Dhabi Airport
Dubai Airport
Al Hosn App
UAE Government list of high risk countries
Abu Dhabi 'Green List'