The Ruler of Emirate of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has instructed the authorities to implement certain changes in the travel protocols for passengers travelling into and out of Dubai. Under the directives of the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, these changes in the protocols will be implemented to provide relief to the passengers and spare citizens from additional check-in procedures without compromising on the COVID-19 related precautionary measures aimed at ensuring passengers' safety.

Under the leadership of Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management in Dubai has issued a revised set of travel protocols for Emiratis, residents, travellers and transit passengers arriving or departing from Dubai.

According to the new protocols, Emiratis returning to Dubai from foreign countries will not require to get a PCR test done prior to their departure, no matter what country they are travelling from or the time they spent there. However, they will have to conduct a PCR test upon arrival in Dubai.

Furthermore, all residents and inbound tourists will be required to undergo a PCR test ahead of their travel from overseas countries to Dubai.

Moreover, transit passengers coming from some countries have to conduct a PCR test prior to their departure for Dubai. Transit passengers are also required to undergo a pre-travel test if their destination country necessitates them to do so.

Emiratis, residents and passengers travelling abroad from Dubai are also required to conduct a PCR test prior to their departure if their destination country has a mandatory provision for a pre-travel negative COVID-19 test certificate.

Speaking about the revised travel protocols, the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management said that they have been updated in line with the regular procedure of revising and improving the COVID-19 precautionary protocols in accordance with the ongoing developments in the UAE and countries across the world to ensure health and safety of the public.

These protocols were optimised after analysing the suggestions and recommendations provided by various frontline entities working to combat the pandemic crisis across the Emirate, including the COVID-19 Command and Control Centre and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). A comprehensive assessment of the global COVID-19 situation was also taken to amend the protocols in a bid to meet the travel guidelines and requirements of countries across the world.

Meanwhile, the Committee has called for the implementation of these revised precautionary measures and protocols across all Dubai travel ports in coordination with the local and global authorities to ensure the safety of passengers, airport employees, and flight crew amid the pandemic.

WAM