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UAE says all returning residents from abroad require Covid-negative test results

Those who are unable to present a Covid negative test within 72 hours of departure will not be allowed to board their flight

by Aarti Nagraj

June 29, 2020

UAE residents who are currently stuck abroad and seeking to return back to the country will be required to submit Covid-19 test results, the UAE government has announced.

Those who are unable to present a Covid negative test within 72 hours of departure will not be allowed to board their flight, the the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) announced on Sunday.

The decision applies to all residents with valid visas who are looking to return to the country starting July 1.

The Covid-19 test will have to conducted at accredited laboratories, currently available in 106 cities across 17 countries worldwide. More countries will be added as part of the second and third phases.

The laboratories are aware of the time constraints and will deliver the results digitally, officials said.

The complete list of accredited laboratories can be accessed on smartservices.ica.gov.ae.

For residents returning from countries without an accredited lab, the Covid-19 test can be taken upon arrival back in the UAE. They will be required to quarantine for 14 days (either at home or in an institution).

The costs for tests and quarantine will have to be borne by the individual. In some cases, employers of the returning residents will have to bear the expenses.

All returning residents are required to download a certified app that will enable government health agencies to monitor them while in quarantine, officials added.

Key guidelines for all returning #UAE residents with valid permits.#YouAreResponsible #We_Are_All_Responsible pic.twitter.com/wbmYMVKPDY

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) June 28, 2020

The UAE has opened up its airports with airlines gradually adding more cities to their flight network.

Dubai airline Emirates has said it plans to start serving seven additional cities in July, which will take the total number of destinations on its network to 48.

Read: Dubai’s Emirates announces flights to seven additional cities in July