In line with ongoing efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, UAE authorities are allowing only eight categories of travellers to fly to the emirates from those countries where the entry of passengers is suspended.

The latest addition to the list of exempted categories is participants of the Expo 2020 Dubai. According to the latest safety circular issued by the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the eight exempted categories are:

• UAE citizens and their first-degree relatives
• Diplomatic officials between the UAE and the applicable countries, including administrative workers
• Official delegations who have prior approval from relevant authorities
• International participants and exhibitors of Expo 2020 Dubai; and personnel sponsored by its organiser
• UAE residents with gold or silver residency permit
• Crews of cargo and transit flights of foreign companies
• Businesspersons with prior approval from relevant authorities including the General Authority for the Security of Ports, Borders and Free Zones, and heads of higher committees of the emergency, crisis and disaster management teams of the Emirate concerned
• Employees of key sectors in accordance with the classification of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA)

As per protocols, exempted travellers are required to comply with strict COVID-19 safety measures, including undergoing 10 days of quarantine upon their entry into the UAE. Other COVID-19 safety protocols for exempted passengers from the restricted countries include: 

• Presenting a negative PCR test result with a validity of 48 hours from the date of departure. The test must be conducted at an accredited laboratory and the result must have a QR code.
• Passengers are required to perform another PCR test on arrival in the UAE, followed by two other tests on days 4 and 8 of their stay.
• They are required to undergo quarantine for 10 days.
• They must wear a monitoring and tracking device, issued to them by authorities for quarantine.

As of now, the UAE has suspended passengers' entry from 16 destinations, including India, Pakistan, South Africa and Indonesia until further notice.