Dubai eases travel guidelines for passengers from India, South Africa and Nigeria

Dubai has announced updates to travel requirements for passengers coming from India, South Africa and Nigeria, effective from Wednesday, June 23, 2021.

Passengers from India, who have a valid UAE residence visa and have received two doses of a ‘UAE-approved vaccine’, are allowed to travel to Dubai, the emirate’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management announced on Saturday.

They will also need to present a negative PCR test certificate taken 48 hours before departure from India, although UAE nationals are exempt from the requirement.

Only QR-coded negative PCR test certificates are accepted, a statement said.

Also, all passengers from India will be required to undergo a rapid PCR test four hours prior to departure to Dubai. They must also undergo another PCR test on arrival in Dubai.

Following arrival, passengers from India will have to remain in institutional quarantine until they receive their PCR test result, which is expected within 24 hours. UAE citizens and diplomats are exempt from institutional quarantine.

Meanwhile, the new protocols allow travellers from South Africa who have received two doses of a UAE-approved vaccine to enter Dubai.

All passengers must present a negative result from a PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure to Dubai – UAE nationals are exempt.

Passengers must also undergo a PCR test on arrival in Dubai. Transit passengers will have to comply with entry protocols of final destinations, the statement added.

Those arriving from Nigeria also have to present a negative test result for a PCR test taken 48 hours prior to departure (UAE citizens are exempt).

The negative PCR test certificate should carry a QR Code and the test must have been conducted by labs approved by the Nigerian government.

Passengers must also undergo a PCR test on arrival in Dubai, the statement added.

The committee said the updated travel protocols are part of a “regular process of revising and optimising precautionary measures based on the latest local, regional and international developments”.

“They are also aimed at enabling the city to continue serving as a global commercial hub and a bridge for travel and trade,” the statement added.

Headed by @sheikhmansoor, the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management in #Dubai announces updates to Dubai’s travel protocols for inbound passengers from South Africa, Nigeria and India, effective from Wednesday 23 June 2021.https://t.co/Zfma4YWugQ pic.twitter.com/NkhIzaQwzI

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 19, 2021

Dubai airline Emirates has also confirmed it will resume operations to the three countries from June 23.

“Emirates welcomes the latest protocols and measures announced by Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management to allow the safe resumption of passenger travel from South Africa, Nigeria and India to Dubai and onwards,” the airline said.

“We will resume carrying passengers from South Africa, Nigeria and India in accordance with these protocols from June 23. We thank the Supreme Committee for their continuous efforts in monitoring the development of the situation and announcing the appropriate guidelines and protocols to protect the community and safeguard the travel sector.”