Air India Express on Monday announced the updated COVID-19 safety measures for passengers travelling from Abu Dhabi to any destination in India. As per the new measures, passengers flying from Abu Dhabi to India are required to present a negative PCR test result conducted within 72 hours prior to the departure of the flight.

Last week, the airline had stated that passengers inoculated with both doses of COVID-19 vaccine are exempted from taking PCR tests before their flights from the UAE to India.

But in the recent travel update, the airline has mandated PCR test specifically for passengers travellers from the Abu Dhabi International Airport. The airline has clarified that PCR test relaxation is not applicable for travellers flying out from the Capital.

“All passengers departing from Abu Dhabi Airport must have a RT-PCR report issued within 72 hours,” the airline said in its statement on Monday.

The directive issued by Air India Express is in line with the safety protocols followed in Abu Dhabi by the national carrier Etihad Airways.

According to Etihad Airways, passengers are required to take a PCR test while travelling with the airline regardless of the protocol of the country they are flying to.

“You must take a PCR test to travel with Etihad Airways even if the country you are travelling to does not require one,” Etihad Airways had said. 

SOURCE: Khaleej times

LINK: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/coronavirus/abu-dhabi-india-travel-no-covid-19-pcr-test-exemption-for-passengers