All passengers to Dubai from any country are required to hold a COVID negative PCR Test certificate, as part of the revised protocols, on travelers amid the growing concerns of COVID-19.  The new rule announced by the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management will come into effect from January 31.

The committee’s new protocols have three new rules that need to be followed by the passengers who arrive at Dubai airport. As part of the restrictions, UAE residents, GCC citizens and visitors are required to do a PCR test prior to departure for Dubai irrespective of the country they are coming from.

The Committee has mandated that arrivals from certain countries - based on the pandemic situation in those countries - require an additional test on arrival in Dubai. Protocols will remain the same for UAE citizens returning to the country from overseas, which exempts them from undergoing a PCR test prior to departure, regardless of the country they are coming from. They will only be required to conduct a PCR test on arrival in Dubai.

The Committee has also decided to reduce the validity period of PCR tests from 96 hours to 72 hours. It has also directed Dubai Airports Company to provide Rapid PCR or Rapid Antigen testing at Dubai airports, in cooperation with relevant authorities, to facilitate travel procedures for passengers departing from Dubai to countries that require this type of pre-travel test, in accordance with the time-frame specified.

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