While it’s certainly a positive thing borders are beginning to open up, with Dubai set to welcome back tourists from July 7, travelling out of the UAE won’t be as simple as you might think.
Yes, it’s true there will be countries UAE citizens and residents will be able to travel to, but they have been put into categories and there are some that have been classed as ‘high risk’, meaning no travel.
According to the , a top official has clarified that travel out of the UAE won’t be applicable to everyone and will be permitted for certain categories, also depending on whether the destination country is classed as ‘low risk’, where everyone can travel to, ‘medium risk’, where travel will be permitted for specific purposes and ‘high risk’ where there will be no travel.
Dr Seif Al Dhaheri, an official spokesperson for the National Authority for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management, explained that it is imperative for anyone hoping to travel to apply for approval via the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) website.
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. pic.twitter.com/UZmT8UBwXs
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 21, 2020
“UAE citizens and residents will be allowed to travel to certain countries as per the COVID-19 situation,” he said in a statement. “Travellers will have to follow certain protocols and abide by precautionary measures.
“We advise people who want to travel to check the destination they plan to travel to, and keep themselves updated about the situation there.”
As part of the process to apply to travel residents and citizens must fill out a ‘Health Declaration Form’ that confirms that you are clear from COVID-19 symptoms and travellers must download the Al Hosn app. Similarly, at any point airlines with flights running can refuse to board passengers if they are showing symptoms of COVID-19.
“It is important to know that upon returning from a trip abroad, a PCR test must be performed and travellers must adhere to quarantine for 14 days, which could be seven days if returning from low-risk countries or for professionals working in vital sectors,” Dr Al Dhaheri added.
As for those intending to travel countries classed in the ‘medium risk’ category, approval will be subject to a “needs basis”. For example, if families need to travel for urgent medical treatment or to visit immediate family members.
