Abu Dhabi has further eased travel requirements for tourists flying to the UAE.
Effective immediately, travellers no longer need to take a PCR test when landing at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Etihad Airways announced the change in the on-arrival testing policy in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Scroll through our gallery at the top to see some of Abu Dhabi's top attractions and things to do.
"Following the latest UAE government directives, guests will not need to take a PCR test on arrival in Abu Dhabi. Guests who choose to take a PCR test on arrival can take advantage of the arrivals testing facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport at their own expense for Dh40 ($11) per test," confirmed a spokesperson for Etihad.
"Etihad continues to follow UAE and international government, regulatory and health authority directives, and is playing its part in helping to limit the spread of Covid-19."
No further follow-up PCR tests are required for travellers arriving in the capital. More information on the regulations is available on etihad.com/destinationguide.
The news comes a little more than a week after the UAE relaxed its Covid-19 rules for travellers, dropping pre-departure tests for vaccinated travellers.
Free on-arrival PCR tests had continued to be issued to all arriving passengers in Abu Dhabi after the relaxation of Covid-19 entry rules last week, but the policy has now changed.
“We warmly welcome this move by the UAE authorities to make travelling to and from Abu Dhabi and the UAE even easier, while maintaining a safe environment. Abu Dhabi has built a reputation for delivering a robust response to the pandemic with high vaccination rates and a comprehensive approach to health and safety measures," said Terry Daly, executive director guest experience, Brand and Marketing, Etihad Airways.
On February 26, Etihad Airways also confirmed that travellers flying with the airline no longer needed a negative PCR test result to board flights, unless it is a requirement of their final destination.
This was a major update to the airline's previous Covid-19 policy, which required all travellers to have a negative test result before boarding Etihad flights to any destination.
Unvaccinated travellers flying to the UAE must continue to present a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of their departure, or display a certificate of Covid-19 recovery dated with 30 days of their flight. Children under 16 are exempt from these requirements.
Tourists need a negative PCR test result taken in the UAE to enter hotels, theme parks and more
Vaccinated travellers need to only show a vaccine certificate with a readable QR code for entry into the country.
However, a green Al Hosn pass remains necessary to enter most public places in the UAE capital, including cafes, hotels, restaurants, museums, and other tourist attractions.
Vaccinated travellers must have a negative PCR test result every 14 days to maintain their green status on the app. The PCR test must have been performed in the UAE.
Transit passengers in Abu Dhabi will also not need a PCR test unless their final destination requires it. Tourists who do need this can take a PCR test while in transit at Abu Dhabi International Airport. This will cost $50 and must be paid before checking in for flights to the capital. There is a maximum transit time of 12 hours allowed in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi also recently scrapped its green list and removed quarantine for all international travellers.
The updated rules come as the UAE recorded 407 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday, with no new deaths reported for the eighth day in a row.
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
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Stage 2
1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix 4:18:30
2. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:06
3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma 0:00:06
4. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:06
5. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:00:08
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
FORSPOKEN
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The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
GULF MEN'S LEAGUE
Pool A Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2
Pool B Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Knights Eagles, Dubai Tigers
Opening fixtures
Thursday, December 5
6.40pm, Pitch 8, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Knights Eagles
7pm, Pitch 2, Jebel Ali Dragons v Dubai Tigers
7pm, Pitch 4, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Exiles
7pm, Pitch 5, Bahrain v Dubai Eagles 2
Recent winners
2018 Dubai Hurricanes
2017 Dubai Exiles
2016 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2015 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2014 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Funchal via Lisbon, with a connecting flight with Air Portugal. Economy class returns cost from Dh3,845 return including taxes.
The trip
The WalkMe app can be downloaded from the usual sources. If you don’t fancy doing the trip yourself, then Explore offers an eight-day levada trails tour from Dh3,050, not including flights.
The hotel
There isn’t another hotel anywhere in Madeira that matches the history and luxury of the Belmond Reid's Palace in Funchal. Doubles from Dh1,400 per night including taxes.
