Expo 2020 Dubai organizers have announced a wide range of entry measures to maintain safety and security during the exceptional event. This development has come in view of the renewed demand for international travel as Expo 2020 gears up to welcome millions of visitors to the largest global event since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As per protocols, visitors aged 18 and above are required to present vaccination proof inoculated with any vaccine recognized by their national government. They can also present a negative PCR test certificate conducted within 72 hours of entering the event.

Non-vaccinated ticket-holders who have not taken a PCR test within the desired time period can get themselves tested at the PCR testing facility adjacent to the Expo 2020 Dubai site.

In the days to come, a network of testing centres will be made available across the city and the list can be access at Expo 2020 Dubai's website. Visitors can take the PCR test by presenting a valid Expo 2020 Dubai ticket as well as an Expo 1-Day or Multi-Day Pass.

Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai, expressed UAE's readiness in driving the recovery of global tourism. Expo 2020 Dubai will be the only global gathering of this size and cultural diversity since 2019, he added.

Dubai authorities have updated their vaccination and testing requirements to open up a world of discovery and education for visitors from various country and to provide them a safe and secure experience of the incredible world of Expo 2020.

"As we prepare to welcome tourists to the UAE and visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai, we need to build on our successes in combating COVID 19, where we have seen a decline of nearly 84 percent in cases in the past eight months," he added.

Al Hashemy affirmed UAE's commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of all visitors, participants and staff. Organizers will continue to follow the guidance of leading science and medical experts in updating safety measures with the aim of hosting an exceptional experience for all visitors and participants from across the world.

The enhanced safety measures are in line with the broader strategies across the emirate, including testing measures conducted by UAE's world-class airports and ports and strict precautions.

Notably, the UAE administered more than 19 million vaccination doses and fully immunized 80 percent of its population by September 2021. Since its reopening to tourists in July 2020, Dubai has witnessed a steady influx of visitors. In the first half of 2021, Dubai welcomed 2.85 million visitors, with the number expected to increase in the fourth quarter as facilitated by Expo 2020 Dubai and the UAE’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary-General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) (governing body of World Expos), hailed Dubai’s effective strategy in managing COVID-19 that boosted smooth and safe preparations of the Expo 2020 Dubai. These efforts also helped in enhancing protocols for Expo 2020 Dubai to strengthen the goal of the mega event in bringing everyone back together to participate in the making of a new world.

"In the face of the pandemic, our collective resolve for solidarity has only been strengthened as the UAE and all international participants have persevered in their commitment to realizing a safe and meaningful World Expo," he added.

Expo’s robust safety strategy includes mandatory vaccination of all Expo 2020 Dubai and international participating staff, volunteers, contractors and service providers. Furthermore, organizers will set up on site sanitization stations, mandatory face-masks both indoor and outdoor and maintain two-metre social distancing.

Beginning from October 1, 2021 to March 21, 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai invites everyone to join the making of a new world and reconnect with each other during this six-month celebration of creativity, innovation, human progress and culture.

WAM