With many UAE residents beginning to return the country, there’s an extensive list of requirements that must be met prior to booking flights.
Now, another requirement has been announced by the UAE government for those wishing to return.
Per directives from the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), it’s now a mandatory requirement for all returning UAE residents to get a COVID-19 test from an approved laboratory in their respective countries. This will be mandatory for any departures from July 1.
In a recent Twitter post to the NCEMA UAE account, they stated that “accredited laboratories can be found in 106 cities across 17 countries worldwide”.
Key guidelines for all returning #UAE residents with valid permits.#YouAreResponsible#We_Are_All_Responsible pic.twitter.com/wbmYMVKPDY
— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) June 28, 2020
Residents who don’t have a valid negative COVID-19 which has been taken within 72-hours of departure from their respective countries, they will not be granted permission to board their flight.
The statement by the NCEMA also states that there is is a list of accredited places where residents can get a COVID-19 test on smartservices.ica.gov.ae, but it appears this is yet to be published.
This latest announcement from the NCEMA is part of a phase one of the plans in place and “preparations are ongoing for additional countries and cities to be added in the next few days and will be announced as part of the second and third phases”.
It also comes ahead of borders in Dubai opening for tourists on July 7.
