The General Authority of Civil Aviation and the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) have updated the previously announced travel regulations. It has issued a clarification, suspending entry of all incoming flights on national and foreign carriers from India to the UAE. As per a statement issued by the authorities, the new regulation will also apply to those flights carrying transit passengers, with an exception to transit flights coming to the UAE and moving forward to India.

"This decision includes the entry of travelers who were in India in the last 14 days prior to coming to the UAE," the statement added.

However, flights between the two countries will operate as per schedule to allow the transportation of passengers from the UAE to India. Groups exempted from the decision will continue to travel from India to the UAE, while following the necessary precautionary measures in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. These groups include UAE citizens, diplomatic missions of the two countries, official delegations, chartered flights of businessmen, and passengers holding golden residency. These groups are required to adhere to preventive measures, including 10-day mandatory quarantine, PCR test at the airport as well as on the fourth and eighth days of their arrival in the UAE.

The authorities have also reduced the required PCR test period from 72 hours to 48 hours prior to boarding the flight. The result must be provided by accredited laboratories and must carry a QR code.

As per the regulations, it is mandatory for passengers coming from India through other countries to have stayed in those countries for at least 14 days before entering the UAE. Starting from April 24 (Saturday) at 23:59, these regulations will remain in place for a period of 10 days, which can be extended by the authorities as needed. Meanwhile, cargo flights between the two countries would continue to operate as per protocols.

NCEMA has also called on all passengers affected by the regulations to communicate with relevant airlines to change or reschedule their flights in order to ensure safe return to their final destinations without delay or complications.

WAM