The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) have announced that all inbound flights for national and international carriers and transit passengers from the Republic of Congo would be suspended from Friday, December 17, effective 8.00 a.m.

Travellers are also banned entry into UAE who were in the Central African country 14 days before coming to the UAE. However, flights will continue to carry passengers from the UAE to the same country.

The GCAA affirmed that UAE nationals, their first degree relatives, domestic workers under their sponsorship, diplomatic missions, official delegations between UAE and Congo and Golden residence holders are not included from this decision. The excluded category travellers should present a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 48 hours of their flight departure and a Rapid-PCR test at the airport within six hours of departure and then another PCR test at the airport on arrival to UAE.

A 10-day quarantine and a PCR test on the ninth day of arrival in the country is required for UAE nationals, their first-degree relatives, domestic workers under their sponsorship, diplomatic missions and golden residence holders.

GCAA also said that it is mandatory for people coming from Congo through other countries to stay in those countries for at least 14 days period before they enter the UAE.

UAE citizens are prohibited from travelling to Congo excluding the country's emergency treatment cases, official delegations, and scholarships.

In addition, the two authorities have introduced new travel requirements for those coming on direct flights from the following countries: Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia. These include having a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 48 hours and a Rapid-PCR test at the airport within six hours of the departure.

Those coming from these four countries to the UAE on transit flights have to obtain a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours and a Rapid-PCR test at the airport of their main point of departure within six hours of travelling. Additionally, another Rapid PCR test is required at the transit airport before entering the UAE.

GCAA has asked all travellers affected by the decision to follow up and communicate with the airlines, amend and schedule their flights and to ensure their safe return to their final destinations without delay.

WAM