International airlines operating flights to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah have told residents wishing to return to the country to update their information on the UAE's federal immigration portal.
Air India Express on Sunday posted a step-by-step guide on Twitter urging passengers to fill in their details, including Emirates ID and passport number, at uaeentry.ica.gov.ae before booking a ticket.
Those who fail to do so risk being turned away from check-in at the airport of departure.
Last week, the UAE announced that residents would be permitted to return without approval from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA). There is a separate system for Dubai visa holders.
“Please note that resident permit holders returning to the UAE must upload their data to verify the authenticity of travel documents," Air India Express said on Twitter.
“If the message says you are allowed to travel, you can go ahead and book tickets.
"If the message says you are not allowed to travel then check with the sponsor."
The update was issued after hundreds of passengers were denied permission to board a plane in India on Saturday.
Several people tagged the airline in posts on Twitter complaining there was confusion about the new rules.
Indian resident Zeeshan Akhter, who works in the oil and gas sector, said he was unable to catch his Air India Express flight IX-1115 from Delhi to Abu Dhabi at the weekend.
"As per the news last week that ICA approval was no longer required to enter the UAE, I booked my ticket to Abu Dhabi and was due to depart from India on August 15," the 34-year-old said.
"When I arrived at the airport the airline staff would not issue me boarding pass because they said I needed an ‘ok to board’ confirmation from UAE immigration."
Mr Akhter said he tried to register his personal data into the online portal while at the airport but received a notification which said the authority would "consider the possibility of rescheduling your travel date after 60 days".
A spokeswoman for Etihad told The National that customers were advised to fill in the forms before reaching the airport.
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School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
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