UAE Announces Travel Ban On Unvaccinated Citizens, Booster Dose Required For Travel

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) of the UAE on Saturday announced a travel ban on its citizens unvaccinated against coronavirus disease (Covid-19) starting January 10.

Moreover, according to the national protocol booster doses vaccinated citizens are required to obtain the booster dose for travel.

However, unvaccinated citizens from the following categories are permitted to travel;

• Individuals medically exempted from taking the vaccine.
• Humanitarian Cases.
• Individuals traveling for medical and treatment purposes.

Also Read: Omicron Scare: Goa To Test All International Passengers On Arrival, Reduced Rapid PCR Test Price

Travel Ban On Citizens

“Ban on Travel on UAE citizens unvaccinated with Covid-19 vaccine, starting Jan 10, 2022, with a requirement to obtain the booster dose for the fully vaccinated. With an exemption for medically exempted from taking the vaccine, humanitarian & treatment cases,” said National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority in a Tweet.

Also Read: West Bengal Suspends All Direct Flights From UK Starting Jan 03

Rise In Omicron Cases

The announcement on the travel ban comes amid a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant, in the United States and Europe.

The surge in Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations, with the new variant of concern causing breakthrough infections, have also led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights across the globe.

As per the data shared by the ministry of health and prevention, the UAE on Saturday has reported 2,556 fresh Covid-19 cases in the previous 24 hours, taking the cumulative infections to 764,493.

The ministry reported one virus-related death, taking the country’s death toll at 2,165.