Guidelines for Travelers traveling in and out of the UAE

(Image Credit: AP)

After months of lockdown due to COVID-19, UAE citizens and residents are now allowed to travel abroad. Passengers can now travel by air to countries where national carriers are operating flights provided, that they adhere to compulsory requirements given by the UAE and the destination country.

As Summer is starting to kick-in with the end of the school year and travel restrictions are eased, many residents are planning to travel out of the country and are welcomed back to Dubai beginning 7 July. Whether you are a resident going for a holiday or a tourist visiting the UAE, it is important for you to understand the rules of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority and ensure that you have researched the rules of your destination country.

In a statement from Federal Authorities, it is made clear that travel and health protocols will be applied, and compulsory requirements must be followed before departure and upon return from abroad. Here are important guidelines and your pre-departure checklist to follow before travelling abroad this Summer:
 

• For Dubai residents, before booking your flight you must apply to Dubai’s immigration service, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA), for permission of return. You will receive a file number which must be added on your visa. For your own peace of mind, it is better to apply for a permit to return before your departure or before your return flight.
• Emirati nationals must register with the Tawajudi service to facilitate communication while abroad or during travel.
• Depending on the health regulations of your destination country, conducting a COVID-19 test before travelling may be required with the results not exceeding 48 hours from the date of travel.
• As a Dubai-visa holder, you are not required to be tested before you fly. However, many residents are conducting voluntary testing before they travel.
• Once you land in Dubai, travelers will be tested at the airport and must quarantine until they receive the results. A 14-day self-isolation is not required if your test results are negative.

People who are over the age of seventy and those with underlying conditions are not allowed to travel to preserve their own safety. The procedures for returning residents also require following certain travel and health procedures without any conflict or violation. If you are a tourist intending to visit Dubai, below are the general guidelines:

• As a tourist, you may present a PCR test valid for up to 96 hours from the time of travel, otherwise, a COVID test will be carried out at Dubai airports.
• A 14-day quarantine is imposed for those who contracted positive for COVID-19
• Travelers must ensure to have international health coverage before traveling
• It is required to sign a declaration to bear all costs of quarantine and treatment and complete a Health Declaration Form.
• Tourists are required to register all details in the COVID-19 DXB app.