Covid-19 pandemic has hit us hard, and while reopening slowly, UAE is making sure to follow all the protocols it can to make travel safe again. After updating the Covid-19 rules for its citizens, Dubai Airports has now updated the rules for tourists as well. As per the latest updates, Dubai airlines have declared that they will send back the tourists who arrive in the country without a confirmed return ticket.
Also read: Dubai Gets A COVID-19 PCR Test Facility Inside Shopping Malls
Around 300 Passengers Were Stranded On The Airport Because Of The New Guidelines
This new update has already affected many passengers. Patrons travelling from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Afghanistan were stranded at Dubai International Airport on Wednesday and Thursday. It was because they had failed to meet the updated entry requirements.
Also read: Negative PCR Test Mandatory For All Abu Dhabi-Bound Travellers: Etihad
The Airlines Have The Responsibility To Arrange Ticket For Passengers Who Don’t Follow The Guidelines
The updated circular states that passengers arriving in the emirate without return tickets will be denied entry. And it will be the sole responsibility of the airline to arrange and cover the cost of a ticket/ flight to return their passenger to the country of origin.
Also read: Dubai Is Inviting People Across The World To Stay & Work In The Country Without A Work Visa
Speaking about the stranded passengers, yesterday (Thursday), diplomatic missions of India and Pakistan announced that over 300 passengers without confirmed return tickets had returned to their home countries. From India, over 200 passengers were stranded. About the same, Neeraj Agarwal, Consul for the press, information and culture, said to Khaleej Times,
“About 140 to 150 were sent back to India on Thursday and roughly 45 passengers were able to clear immigration and enter UAE. Most of the passengers arrived on Air Vistara and GoAir airlines and a few were on flydubai and Emirates Airline.”
Whereas, Ahmed Amjad Ali, Consul-General of Pakistan in Dubai, said to the leading daily,
“Around 169 people have been repatriated since yesterday. We are sending back people stranded at the airport as and when seats are available on the aircraft. This is an ongoing process.