Stranded UAE residents who have received the Covishield vaccine in India will not be able to return to UAE. The same conditions apply to those who have been inoculated with the Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Moderna, Sputnik V and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

UAE authorities announced new exemptions for passengers from six countries from which flights were suspended. Those countries being India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Uganda and Nigeria. However, Dubai-based Emirates airlines later announced that the suspension on flights to and from Nigeria has been extended until at least August 15.

Stranded residents had queries regarding the new rules were announced, which they expressed on social media. Key among the queries was whether it was necessary to have taken the vaccines in the UAE.

"Only passengers with a valid UAE residence visa who have been fully vaccinated in the UAE and who hold an official vaccination certificate issued and approved by relevant authorities in the UAE are permitted to return to the UAE," said Emirates Airlines, in response to a query from a Twitter user who'd taken the Moderna jab.

Additionally, Etihad Airways who were facing similar queries redirected customers to their website, where the rules clearly state: "You will only be permitted to enter the UAE if you are a fully vaccinated resident of the UAE.

"You must have proof of having received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine within the UAE no less than 14 days before travel," it added.

Khaleej Times