UK updates requirements for UAE travel

From January 16, visitors travelling from the UK to Dubai must present a negative PCR test

The UK has updated its requirements for those travelling to and from the UAE. Reuters

The UK has updated its requirements for tourists travelling to the UAE.

From 8am on Saturday, January 16, visitors travelling from or through the UK and arriving in Dubai must have a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken no more than 96 hours before departure. A certificate showing their result must be presented at check-in.

Dubai residents travelling to Dubai from or through the UK still have the option to either present a negative PCR test when leaving the UK, taken a maximum of 96 hours before departure, or to take a Covid-19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai. Those tested on arrival will have to isolate until the results are released.

All travellers may also be required to take a PCR test on arrival in Dubai, regardless of whether they were tested before departure.

Those travelling to Abu Dhabi from the UK must have taken a PCR test within 72 hours of departure and received a negative result. They will also be required to take a PCR test on arrival, wear a government-provided wristband, complete a minimum 10-day period of self-isolation or quarantine and, depending on the length of their stay, have two more PCR tests on day six and 12 of their stay.

On January 12, the UK removed the UAE from its travel corridor, so people travelling from the Emirates now need to isolate for 10 days upon arriving in the UK, unless they have an exemption, like diplomatic status.

The rules were also changed to make it mandatory for travellers to take a PCR test before travelling to the UK.

International travel for people in the UK is restricted, but those already in the UAE had been able to avoid going into quarantine when arriving back in Britain, until this most recent update.