Dubai Airport introduces Covid-19 spot-checks on arrivals to help limit virus spread

Passengers landing in Dubai on flights from countries not mandated to take tests on arrival could be screened under safety measures

Lab staff working in the sample preparation room at Dubai Airport (DXB). All photos: Pawan Singh / The National

Close to Terminal 2, the laboratory is a dedicated centre for around-the-clock processing of RT-PCR test samples collected from passengers at DXB.

Lab staff working in Dubai Airport's in-house lab for processing Covid-19 PCR tests.

One of the world’s busiest airports now has one of the world’s biggest in-house Covid-19 testing laboratories.

The laboratory reduces waiting times for passengers arriving by making sure their PCR test results are delivered in only four to six hours.

Before the lab opened in June, the passengers’ samples were collected from the airport every 12 hours.

Now samples are collected every 30 minutes and transported to the in-house facility operated by Pure Health.

Carlo Kaabar, medical director of Mohap Laboratories, at Dubai Airport's in-house PCR lab.

After a batch of samples is received, the staff first check their integrity and verify the passengers’ details using barcodes.

Dubai Airport's in-house lab for processing Covid-19 PCR tests.

If passengers test positive, they need to undergo isolation and follow the Dubai Health Authority guidelines.

Lab staff scanning the barcode of a Covid-19 PCR sample.

Dubai Airport is carrying out random PCR tests on arrival for some flights as part of efforts to limit the spread of Covid-19.

Screening on arrival is already mandatory on Emirates flights from more than 50 countries, including Brazil, India, Pakistan and Russia.

But authorities have confirmed additional testing is being carried out on flights not included on this list.

"PCR tests are mandatory for the flights mentioned on Emirates' website,” said a Dubai Media Office statement.

“However, as part of the extra precautionary measures, Dubai Airport may conduct random tests upon arrival for certain flights."

Residents returning to Dubai in recent days posted on social media about how they had been asked to complete PCR tests on arrival at Dubai International from the UK, which is not on the list of countries from which a swab on arrival is compulsory.

Positive tests require passengers to isolate at home for 10 days from the first day a PCR test is taken, even without showing symptoms of Covid-19.

Those testing positive must also download the Covid-19 DXB app, or face a potential Dh10,000 ($2,722) fine.

A second PCR test is not necessary after the isolation period is complete.

According to the latest information from Emirates and Etihad, passengers travelling to Dubai and Abu Dhabi from all countries (GCC included) must have a negative Covid‑19 RT‑PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours before departure.

Travellers must bring an official printed or digital certificate in English or Arabic to check-in because the airline will not accept SMS certificates.

Covid‑19 PCR certificates in other languages are acceptable if they can be validated at the originating testing station.

Dubai steps up safety measures

Authorities are taking robust steps to contain the virus, particularly in light of the emergence of the highly contagious Omicron variant.

Daily case numbers have steadily increased in recent weeks – rising from below 50 in early December to 1,846 on Tuesday.

Screening rates are being stepped up to help break the chain of transmission, with a record 431,482 tests conducted in the latest 24-hour reporting period.

Travel from several African nations into the UAE is still prohibited because of high case numbers of the Omicron strain of Covid-19.

Passengers travelling to Dubai who have been in or transited through Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria or Tanzania in the past 14 days are not permitted to enter the emirate.

The restrictions are waived for diplomats, UAE citizens and their first-degree relatives and staff and those with a Golden Visa.

There are also specific requirements for passengers travelling from Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam and Zambia.

Dubai set out precautionary measures for New Year's Eve celebrations on Tuesday, with the public reminded to wear masks and follow social distancing rules.

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed, Chairman of Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management, said strong preventive measures had helped to keep people safe.

“Every member of the community should stringently observe the preventive guidelines in place, including wearing face masks and observing social distancing, to protect their families and others,” he said.

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