COVID-19 test mandatory for all passengers into UAE from Aug 1

All travellers flying into the UAE will need to take the COVID-19 test prior to departure in their country of origin, authorities announced on Thursday (July 23).

The new rule comes into effect August 1.

The new rule applies to all inbound and transit passengers, including Emiratis, residents and tourists arriving via UAE’s airports regardless where they are coming from, state news agency WAM reported citing a statement from the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Passengers travelling through UAE airports heading to the EU and the UK, as well as other countries that require the COVID-19 test, must be tested prior to boarding their planes.

There are exemptions. Children under the age of 12 and people with severe and moderate disabilities will not be subject to the test, which has a 96-hour validity from the date of testing. WAM’s report did not give details of what constitutes “severe” or “moderate” with regards disabilities.

The UAE-accredited laboratories for COVID-19 PCR nasal swab tests around the world can be found at this link: screening.purehealth.ae

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