Dubai is one of the most popular tourist destinations on account of its beautiful high rise veneer, tourist attractions and shopping opportunities. A luxury holiday destination, there are many gorgeous hotels, events and exciting activities to enjoy when visiting this key city in the UAE.
However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, many countries have had to reassess their travel rules. From India Visas for the UK to US no-fly zones, many countries have been severely affected by the current wave of Delta Variant COVID cases. If you are travelling to Dubai, there is a range of restrictions that you might find impede your travel to the city. This blog will explore the restrictions on travel to Dubai from specific countries and how they could affect your travels.
COVID And Dubai
Dubai is a tourist haven and sees over 16 million tourists every year. This reliance on foreign travel has become a double-edged sword for the city, which saw over 20,000 active cases as of July 12th and often thanks to the tourism industry in the city, which brings in infected travellers who then go on to trigger lockdowns and quarantines for local businesses.
As it stands, those in Dubai must quarantine for 10 days from the day if they have come into contact with someone who’s developed the virus. Close contact means within a 2-metre radius with someone who has COVID for more than 15 minutes. If the quarantined individual begins to develop COVID symptoms, then they should take a COVID lateral flow or PCR test to ascertain if they have picked up the virus. This quarantine affects all residents of Dubai, whether they be on an Indian visitor visa or a local of the city.
How Does This Affect Travellers?
When entering Dubai International airport, all travellers must show a negative COVID PCR Test upon arrival. This test must have been completed no more than 72 hours before their trip. Children with disabilities under the age of 12 do not need to take a test.
Citizens of Dubai who are eVisa India holders or travelling back from Bangladesh, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Sudan, Lebanon, Egypt and Ethiopia must have a negative test and the relevant QR code to confirm their negative result.
Those travelling to Dubai from a list of over 60 countries will have to take a second test upon arrival at Dubai airport. You must stay in quarantine until your result is returned. If your second result is negative, then you will not have to quarantine any longer.
For those who need a visa to enter and stay in Dubai from other countries, make sure that you meet the requirements of your country of origin regarding COVID precautions before your trip. Again, visa holders, whether Visa On Arrival or using a Tourist eVisa, must take a COVID PCR test before their trip and provide a negative test result on departure and arrival.
What Is Currently Open In Dubai?
As of May 17th, the caps on capacity at hotels were lifted, as were live entertainment audience limits and cafe and restaurant limits. That being said, there are still social distancing restrictions of two metres still being enforced, as is mask weaning when not exercising, eating, driving or riding in a car or in your own home.
AdminPUBLISHED ON 26 Aug 2021
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