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Indians Will Have To Wait To Travel To UAE As It Extends Flight Ban Until Further Notice

by Vaishnavi Venkataraman
Indians Will Have To Wait To Travel To UAE As It Extends Flight Ban Until Further Notice

Several countries across the globe have closed borders for tourists from India. Earlier, Emirates airline said it expects to resume flights from 7 July. However, the decision had then changed and the airline announced that it will be extending its ban on passenger flights from India until July 21. Besides, the airline had also extended the suspension of flights from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka until July 21, 2021. However, now as per the latest updates, The United Arab Emirates has announced a further extension of the ban on passenger flights from 16 countries, including India. The other countries included in the list include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Liberia, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Uganda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Zambia. It has also prohibited all UAE nationals, except diplomats and those with medical emergencies, from travelling to these countries.

Emirates in flight food service

Passengers Can Re-Book Their Tickets To A Future Date

Emirates made the announcement considering the surging covid cases in India. The UAE stopped passengers travelling from India on April 25 amid a surge in cases.

On 23 June Dubai authorities announced that UAE ex-pats stuck in India can return to Dubai. However, the rule applied only to those who had received both doses of a UAE-approved Covid-19 vaccine. Besides, those travelling must also present a negative PCR test. They must also take another PCR test on arrival in Dubai and undergo “institutional quarantine” until they receive their PCR test result, which is expected within 24 hours.

Emiratis Are Banned Entry Into India, Pakistan & 12 Other Countries

In a recent announcement, UAE authorities have banned Emiratis from entering 14 countries. The list includes India, Pakistan, and South Africa. The other countries in the list include Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Namibia, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Nigeria.

However, diplomatic passport holders, emergency treatment cases; official delegations; and previously authorised business and technical delegates are exempt from the ban.

Also read: Maldives To Allow Indian Tourists From July 15; Know The Latest Rules Here

Pakistan-Dubai Flights Suspended Until Further Notice

In an update on 26 June, Emirates announced that flights from Pakistan to Dubai will be suspended until further notice. Earlier this month, the airline said that the ban would remain in place until 6 July.  However, responding to a query on Twitter, the airline said:

“Our flights from Pakistan are suspended until further notice. We don’t have any confirmed date for resumption yet. We’ll update our website as soon as we have any updates.” In addition, the airline also said that passengers who have connected through Pakistan in the last 14 days will not be accepted to travel from any other point to the UAE.

However, UAE Nationals, holders of UAE Golden Visas and members of diplomatic missions who comply with updated COVID19 protocols are exempt from the rule.

Flights From South Africa Banned Until 6 July; Flights To & From Nigeria Are Cancelled Until Further Notice

Earlier, in an official statement from the airline, said, “Emirates welcomes the latest protocols and measures announced by Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management to allow the safe resumption of passenger travel from South Africa, Nigeria and India to Dubai and onwards. We look forward to facilitating travel from these countries and supporting various travellers’ categories.”

However, Emirates has now announced that all flights from South Africa will be banned until 6 July. Travel to or from Nigeria is also banned until further notice. Travellers to and from Lagos and Abuja will not be permitted to enter the UAE. Besides, passengers who have been to, or connected through, the west African country in the past 14 days will also be prohibited from entering the UAE.

What Is The New Rule For Incoming Flights From India To The UAE?

Starting, 23 June all passengers travelling from India to Dubai must have received both doses of any UAE approved vaccine. In addition, all travellers must submit a negative Covid-19 test result taken within 48 hours before departure. Passengers must also take a rapid PCR test 4 hours prior to departure. Besides, they must also undergo another PCR test upon arrival in Dubai. Passengers should undergo institutional quarantine until they receive their PCR test result, which is expected within 24 hours.

Also read: Travelling To India From UAE? Here Are The Latest Statewise Covid-19 Rules You Must Know