UAE Extends Ban On Travel From India Till May 31, Issues New Guidelines For Travel

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has extended the ban on travel from India till May 31, Moreover, it imposed a ban on entry of travelers from neighboring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka starting from Wednesday, 12th May 2021. The decision comes in the view to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the UAE.

After the suspension was extended, the flag carrier of UAE has also announced the suspension of its flights from India to UAE until 31 May 2021. However, the airline is offering a free rebooking option for affected passengers.

Emirates has shared the new rules for travel from India, and effective 12 May 2021, 23:59 Dubai time – for travel from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

New Rules For Travel To UAE

Only the following categories of passengers will be allowed entry to Dubai: members of diplomatic missions, holders of UAE golden visa, UAE nationals, passengers exempted and/or granted permission to enter the UAE by the appropriate authorities as well as passengers traveling on a business flight who have a valid COVID-19 PCR test certificate.

Passengers exempted from the travel restriction must comply with the following:

• Passengers must have a valid COVID‑19 test certificate issued within 48 hours of the time of sample collection and scheduled flight departure.
• Only COVID‑19 PCR test reports from certified labs that issue a QR code linked to the original report will be accepted.
• Passengers must undergo COVID‑19 PCR testing on arrival in Dubai, followed by two other PCR tests on the 4th day and 8th day of their quarantine period.
• Passengers must sign an indemnity document for a 10‑day home or hotel quarantine, starting from the day of arrival.
• Passengers must download the DXB COVID‑19 app upon arrival at Dubai airports and provide all the required information.

All passengers who have traveled from or transited through India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the last 14 days will not be accepted for travel to or transfer through Dubai from any other point except for returning UAE nationals.

RT-PCR Test Requirement

The Dubai Health Authorities also announced that starting from 22nd April 2021, all passengers traveling from India to Dubai will be required to take a Covid-19 (RT-PCR) test within 48 hours before departure and all tests must be administered by accredited laboratories that issue results carrying a QR code.

Also Read: List of Countries That Have Suspended Flights From India