UAE airports to conduct Covid-19 testing for all inbound passengers

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced that arriving passengers at all its airports will have to undergo mandatory Covid-19 PCR testing.

In addition, transit passengers will also have to be tested under the new rules. These are applicable to all passengers, irrespective of their departing country.

This measure will come to effect from 1 August without any changes to the other mandatory testing measures that need to be followed on arrival at the airports.

In a joint statement released by UAE’s National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC), those passengers who transit through the airports to EU countries and the UK will have to get tested before boarding the aircraft.

This measure is in accordance with the country’s efforts to safeguard citizens and residents from the Covid-19 coronavirus.

However, children under 12 years of age and travellers with severe and moderate disabilities will not have to get tested.

The PCR test has a validity of 96 hours from the date of testing.

All airlines operating out of the airports in the UAE will have to adhere to the new requirements.

Earlier this month, Dubai Airports announced the resumption of scheduled operations by foreign carriers at Dubai International (DXB), one of the busiest airports in the UAE.

In February, UAE Federal Customs Authority (FCA) introduced a smart mobile passenger inspection unit that will enter service next month.