Dubai to welcome tourists from July 7

Dubai is set to welcome visitors from Tuesday July 7, according to reports from the Dubai Media Office tonight (Sunday June 21).

Visitors entering Dubai will need to present a recent COVID-19 negative certificate (issued a maximum of four days prior to departure), or undergo testing at Dubai airports on arrival.

Returning residents are permitted to enter the emirate from tomorrow (June 22) according to a tweet.

“Under the directives of @HHShkMohd, and follow-up of @HamdanMohammed Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management announces new air travel protocols for Dubai citizens, residents and visitors.

“#Dubai to welcome returning residents from tomorrow, citizens and residents permitted to travel overseas from 23 June 2020.

“#Dubai to welcome tourists from 7 July 2020; tourists required to present recent COVID-19 negative certificate or undergo testing at Dubai airports.”

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Last week the UAE Government announced that citizens and residents can travel overseas from the end of June.

Emiratis and those with a valid UAE resident visa may travel overseas to select destinations from June 23.

A statement today added that there “will be no restrictions on the overseas destinations that citizens and residents can travel to”. However, they must comply with guidelines and protocols followed in the countries they are travelling to.

“Residents holding Dubai-issued visas are permitted to return to the emirate by pre-booking flights on any airline on the condition that they obtain an approval coordinated between the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) and the airline. Residents must fill a ‘Health Declaration Form’ before embarking on their journey to confirm they do not have COVID-19 symptoms. The airline has the right to refuse boarding if passengers display any symptoms of COVID-19,” read a statement from Dubai Media Office.

When residents arrive at Dubai airports they will have to undergo a test to screen them for COVID-19.

They should not leave their house until they receive the results, if they test positive they must self-isolate for 14 days. Residents sharing homes or living in high-density housing facilities will be isolated at an institutional facility if they test positive.

International tourists must download the COVID-19 DXB app and register their details. They must also have valid health insurance and the airline has the right to refuse boarding.

“Tourists must do a PCR test with a maximum validity of four days (96 hours) ahead of the date of departure. They will be required to show proof of not being infected with the virus on arrival at Dubai airports. If they cannot provide proof, they will undergo a PCR test at the airport,” read a statement from Dubai Media Office.

Everyone will have to undergo thermal screenings on arrival at Dubai Airports. Any tourist that tests positive must register on the COVID-19 DXB app and self-isolate at an institutional facility, as outlined by the government, for 14 days at their own expense.

The Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management stressed that travellers should commit to meeting their responsibilities to ensure their safety and that of others. These include:
• All passengers must make themselves aware of the protocols and conditions specified by the Government of Dubai and destination countries before travelling and ensure they comply with them.

• Passengers must disclose any health symptoms before travelling by filling out the ‘Health Declaration Form’ provided by the airline company.

• UAE nationals must notify UAE embassies in the countries they are visiting if they test positive for COVID-19.

• Tourists must ensure they have international health insurance before travelling.

• All tourists must show that they have tested negative in a PCR test done four days (96 hours) before the departure date. If they cannot provide test results, they will be tested at Dubai airports.

• Those who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate themselves for 14 days at their home or in an institutional facility provided by the government at their own expense.

• Travellers must strictly follow physical distancing guidelines in accordance with measures followed at Dubai airports and use face masks at all times.

• All passengers should stringently observe precautionary measures and monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms.

Emirates Airline has recently updated its flights to more than 40 destinations.

On returning to the UAE there are other regulations.

Source: Time Out Staff www.timeoutdubai.com