UAE lifts Covid-19-related flight restrictions for 12 African nations

The new rules are effective from 2.30pm on Saturday, January 29

The Drakensberg escarpment in Lesotho. Flight arrivals can resume from the country on January 29, UAE authorities said. Photo: Jandre van der Walt/ Unsplash

Victoria Falls, in Zimbabwe, one of the 12 African nations where passenger flights to the UAE will restart. Photo: Tanner Marquis/ Unsplash

The central business district in Gaborone, Botswana. Flights can resume from Botswana, Congo Republic, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, authorities said. Photo: Justice Hubane/ Unsplash

Amboseli National Park, Kenya. Passengers travelling from the 12 countries will be required to take a PCR test 48 hours before departure. Photo: Sergey Pesterev/ Unsplash

Mbabane, capital of Eswatini. Photo: Lungelo S Mthupha/ Unsplash

Lagos, in Nigeria. Photo: Nupo Deyon Daniel/ Unsplash

Sesriem, Namibia. Photo: Arne Smith/ Unsplash

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Photo: Peter Mitchell/ Unsplash

Cape Town, South Africa. Photo: Tobias Reich/ Unsplash

Salt flats, Danikil Depression, Ethiopia. Photo: Lesly Derksen/ Unsplash

Maputo, Mozambique. Photo: Rohan Reddy/ Unsplash

Street performers in Brazzaville, Congo Republic. Photo: Valdhy Mbemba/ Unsplash

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Restrictions on flights arriving from 12 African nations will be lifted on Saturday, the UAE's Covid-19 crisis authority said.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (Ncema) also updated entry procedures for flights originating from three more nations at the same time, in a post on social media.

Flight arrivals can resume from: Botswana, Congo Republic, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

It also said that entry procedures have been updated for flights originating from Ghana, Rwanda and Uganda.

The new rules come into effect on 2.30pm on Saturday.

Passengers will be required to take a PCR test 48 hours before departure, test where possible at the departure airport, test on arrival and follow to all precautionary measures when visiting the UAE.

What are the Covid-19 rules for travelling to Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

At 321 metres, the Burj Al Arab in Dubai is one of the world's tallest hotels. AFP

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A view of Khor Fakkan at sunset. Antonie Robertson / The National

Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE's highest peak. Photo: RAK Tourism Authority

Dubai Mall, a draw for millions of tourists where shopping becomes spectacle. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the largest place of worship in the UAE and a symbol that demonstrates the diversity of the Islamic world. Ryan Carter / The National

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Caesars Bluewaters Dubai island resort. Photo: Caesars Bluewaters Dubai

Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island. Victor Besa / The National

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