Travel News: Latest Travel Updates From The UAE

Travel rules and restrictions are still volatile and keep changing from time to time. While some of these updates are welcome changes, a few of them give us bad news. For an ex-pat, given the current scenario, to travel from one home country to another with fewer restrictions implies immense relief. Easing the Covid-19 forced restrictions across Europe and UK has been in the limelight for a while.

The bandwagon with the good news has entered the Middle East now. And as always keeping the public and its safety as a priority, the UAE government has taken a few decisive steps. The rulers of the UAE have always stood for the progress of the nation providing the best to its people.

As part of multiple steps taken to return to normalcy without compromising safety measures, authorities have relaxed a few restrictions. Luckily for the travelers to the UAE and within the country, the fresh steps revamp the prospects of growth and development in all sectors. Of course, the travel industry is expected to boom and benefit.

Corresponding news has already been shared by the premier air carriers of the country. Airlines from other countries are expected to follow the suit. Sharing travel updates from the UAE.

Travel updates from the UAE

Traveling to and from the UAE is once again booming. And what a time for the authorities to ease the travel restrictions. Being the last month of Expo 2020 and school holidays are scheduled to begin soon enough, there is going to be major air traffic.

After the holidays I traveled back to the UAE last month. The ordeal of double RTPCR at the departure point and another one at the arrival airport had been a thorn in the flesh. When you have to travel multiple times in a year, such safety measures become a bit annoying too. You begin to wonder if such stringent measures are essential. Well, protocols are to be followed especially when you travel from List C, D, E countries. The relaxed rules implemented by the UAE benefit millions of travelers across several countries.

As per the guidelines issued by airlines, the travelers arriving from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Botswana, Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe will enjoy lesser restrictions henceforth.

Now on you can travel to Dubai or Abu Dhabi,

• With a valid QR coded vaccination certificate with a vaccine approved by the WHO or the UAE.
• Or by presenting a valid negative Covid 19 test certificate that should be based on a molecular diagnostic test issued within 48 hours from the time of sample collection.
• Or a relevant and valid medical certificate issued by an approved medical authority that the passenger has recovered from Coronavirus SARS Cov 19 within a period of one month of travel.
• And if necessitated by the authorities you would have to undergo an RT-PCR test upon arrival in Dubai.

So, the hassles of taking RT-PCR 48 hrs. and 4 hrs. prior to boarding the flight are scrapped.

No more GDRFA or ICA approval

Not much of a big deal to get the GDRFA or ICA approval depending on in which airport you land in the UAE. By following the correct URL of the website, and by feeding the mandatory information, you can easily get approval. However, occasionally you could be put on hold too. And that can disturb your travel plans at the eleventh hour. Surprisingly a few of the travel agencies did charge hefty amounts to do the 2-3 minutes task! Anyway, it is not needed anymore.

Transiting passengers

If you are a transiting passenger, you don't need to present a COVID 19 PCR test certificate unless mandated by final destination airport rules.

Traveling within the UAE

Vaccination and the efforts to contain the pandemic in the UAE have borne results for sure. As per the updates by the country's National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) nearly 96 percent of the UAE's population is now fully vaccinated. Thanks to that evening walks and leisurely outings are going to be fun once again. As per the latest travel updates from the UAE, guidelines for wearing masks outdoors have now on been made optional. However, when indoors, you need to wear your mask.

• Physical distancing requirements in public places also has been relaxed.
• No more wristbands for Coronavirus positive patients.
• No more quarantine for close contacts.
• 90 per centage operational capacity in tourist attractions and commercial premises.

The Al Hosn (UAE's official app to follow and monitor Covid-19) green pass would not be needed to enter the capital city.

In government buildings, a green pass is required for all employees, visitors, and contractors.

Tourism back in the UAE

On a positive note, tourism is brimming back to the country. Tourists and travelers are once again flocking to marvel at the wonders in the UAE. With Expo 2020 in the last few days, and Sharjah Safari Park and Museum of the Future opened recently, visitors have plenty to do and see. Certainly, easing travel restrictions is going to welcome millions of tourists to the UAE. The latest travel updates from the UAE have been warmly welcomed by the locals and tourists.