The UAE authorities announced on Wednesday that passenger flights from Zambia, DR Congo and Uganda are suspended starting Friday, June 11. Transit and cargo flights are to continue operating.

Authorities underlined that some groups are exempted from these measures. These include UAE citizens and their first-degree relatives and accredited diplomatic missions between the UAE and the three countries. Exempted groups also include official delegations and businessmen (provided they obtain prior approval), holders of golden and silver residency, people with essential jobs according to the classification of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), and crews of foreign freight and transit flights. 

Before traveling, PCR testing is required not before 48 hours. Earlier the period was 72 hours. All tests must be administered by accredited laboratories that issue test results with a QR code. The excluded groups are required to follow all Covid related preventive measures, including a 10-day quarantine, a PCR test at the airport, and PCR tests on day 4 and day 8 after entering the country. 

The General Authority of Civil Aviation has confirmed that travelers coming from these three countries through other nations are required to provide proof of a period of stay in those countries not less than 14 days in order to be allowed entry into the UAE. The General Authority of Civil Aviation has advised all affected travelers by the decision to contact the relevant airlines in order to reschedule their flights and ensure return to final destinations without delay. 

This announcement follows UAE’s decision of suspending the entry of passengers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Vietnam recently.