UAE suspends entry to passengers from Afghanistan and Indonesia

Aviation authority says restrictions begin just before midnight on Sunday

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  A man receives a dose of the Sinovac Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine at a convention hall building in Banda Aceh.

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  A man falls to the ground as he weeps during the burial of a relative who died of COVID-19, at the Rorotan Cemetery in Jakarta, Indonesia.

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  A woman carries her oxygen tank after having it refilled at a recharging station in Jakarta, Indonesia.

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  People wait for their turn to refill their oxygen tanks at a recharging station in Jakarta, Indonesia.

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  Graveyard workers move the coffin of a Covid-19 coronavirus victim with a vehicle at the Keputih cemetery in Surabaya of East Java.

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  A police officer checks a document from a driver as Indonesia imposes emergency measures, tightening restrictions in Java and Bali amid a surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, in Depok, Indonesia.

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  People wearing protective face masks take part in rituals amid a surge of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Tulungagung, East Java province, Indonesia.

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  A water cannon vehicle sprays disinfectant amid a surge of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Tibawa, Gorontalo province, Indonesia.

The UAE has suspended entry to travellers from Afghanistan and Indonesia from Sunday in the latest round of coronavirus restrictions.

The General Civil Aviation Authority said the move would take effect at 11.59pm on Sunday, July 11.

This includes suspending the entry of travellers who were in these countries 14 days before coming to the UAE. Flights can continue to transit via the emirates.

Official delegations and UAE residents who carry a golden visa are exempt. They must undertake a 10-day quarantine period, according to a statement from GCAA and National Authority for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management (Ncema) on state news agency Wam.

Both countries have seen a recent spike in cases in July.

In Indonesia, the number of new daily cases has risen dramatically from about 3,000 in May to 38,000 on Thursday.

The world's fourth most populous country faces a drastic shortage of oxygen, officials said on Friday.

The flight restrictions are the latest imposed by the Emirates to halt the spread of coronavirus cases.

The current list of countries with travel restrictions also includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Nigeria and the Philippines until July 15. The list is set to be reviewed by UAE officials this week.