The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has issued a list of new strict safety measures for exempted passengers arriving via regular and charter flights to the UAE from countries where COVID-19 restrictions are still in place.

As per the new protocols, UAE's 'silver visa' holders have been permitted to enter the country via flights from countries currently under travel ban. Silver visa holders hold residency permits issued for five years.

Earlier, only golden visa holders with a 10-year validity were allowed to enter the country. Other categories exempted from rules include UAE citizens and members of diplomatic missions.

The newly-announced stringent measures will apply to aircraft operators conducting flights from and to the UAE and other countries including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Uganda, South Africa, and Zambia.

The GCAA has issued the new COVID-19 safety measures including wearing mandatory tracking devices, particularly for exempted passengers. According to the GCAA circular, exempted passengers arriving from charter flights are required to wear mandatory tracking devices for at least 10 days of their quarantine period.

The authorities imposed new travel restrictions in line with the ongoing developments in the COVID-19 pandemic across countries. The GCAA has underlined that the UAE government is closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates and necessary changes in the future depending on the developments.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, a GCAA official confirmed that the circular has been issued to all concerned entities across the country.

A number of travel agencies and charter flight operators have informed that passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah have been given wristband tracking devices to ensure their safety. Since September 2020, Abu Dhabi authorities have provided international passengers coming to the emirate with tracking devices during their 14-day home quarantine.

In this regard, Raheesh Babu, group COO of travel agency Musafir.com, said that passengers arriving in Dubai are required to comply with a 10-day mandatory quarantine and undergo a series of COVID-19 PCR tests. Furthermore, those arriving at Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah have been asked to wear the wristband during their quarantine period.

The GCAA circular added that passengers are also required to take a PCR test upon arrival, along with a tracking wristband. They will have to undergo two other PCR tests on the fourth and eighth day of their quarantine period in the emirate.

Notably, the new rules also apply to crew members of flights operating from those countries mentioned in the circular in accordance with the safety protocols. In addition, they will be quarantined in a hotel during the entire transit period to ensure limited movement between the hotel and the airport. It will facilitate the safety of all community members in the country. Flight and travel operators have noted that the GCAA has made its approval process even more strict to ensure maximum safety against COVID-19, particularly in the wake of the emergence of new mutated variants.

At the same time, all passengers are subject to the immigration conditions in the UAE and unscheduled and charter flights are required to get the necessary approval from the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) for their operations.

“NCEMA shall be notified at least 5 days before the flight,” the circular added.