UAE citizens now exempt from taking a PCR test before flying to Dubai

Under the new guidelines, some transit passengers too will not need a pre-travel Covid-19 test

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  Tourists from Ukraine arrive at Dubai International Airport on flydubai flight on July 10. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

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  The Covid-19 pandemic requires everyone to maintain hygiene protocols such as wearing a mask and social distancing. AFP

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  An Indian passenger carries a child as she waits for a repatriation flight from Dubai International Airport. AFP

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  Health workers test an Indian citizen at Dubai International Airport before he boards a repatriation flight. AFP

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  Medics screen passengers waiting to board repatriation flights at Dubai International Airport. AFP

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  Passengers heading for Dubai can now be tested for Covid-19 at a greater number of facilities after the Emirates airlines recognised more clinics outside the Pure Health network. Getty Images

UAE nationals will no longer need to take a PCR test before they board their flight to Dubai, authorities announced on Friday.

This applies to all citizens, irrespective of the country they are coming from and the time spent there.

They will, however, take the Covid-19 test once they land in Dubai, said National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management.

All UAE residents still need a negative PCR test result from their country of origin and will need to present it to the check-in desks at the airport.

The rule for transit passengers has also changed.

Earlier, all those who passed Dubai airports needed a negative test result to travel via the emirate.

Now, a pre travel PCR test for transit passengers is mandatory from some countries and when the destination countries requires travellers to have a negative result.

The results are valid for up to 96 hours from the time of the PCR test taken.

Children under the age of 12 and children with moderate to severe disabilities are exempt from the test requirements.

Some passengers may be required to take another PCR test upon arrival in Dubai.

All Dubai resident visa holders who are flying back to the emirate must still apply for and receive approval from the UAE’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs prior to travel.

All passengers including citizens, residents and tourists departing from both airports to the European Union or the United Kingdom need a negative test result.