The fear of contracting the Coronavirus as an international tourist can be scary, but Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai has found a way to combat this hurdle and make travelling easier: free COVID-19 tests for all in-house guests. Here’s all we know about this new initiative. By Bayar Jain
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In an official announcement on September 1, Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai stated that all international guests who stay five or more nights in the resort can avail free in-house COVID-19 tests from authorised medical facilities till December 18, 2020. For this, the beach-side resort has partnered with the emirate’s leading hospitals, so that guests can maximise their leisure time without having to disrupt their vacation by visiting a clinic.
Timothy Kelly, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Atlantis Dubai says in a statement, “We are continuously evolving to meet the needs of our customers during this challenging time. Using our on-site medical centre, the new PCR tests will help to reduce any travel inconveniences and encourage more international guests to visit Dubai’s premier entertainment destination.”
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Further, this helps international travellers return to home base without any hassle as many countries have now mandated a COVID-19 PCR test—no more than 96 hours before departure—to be presented at check-in. However, the statement also adds that children under the age of 12, and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from this test. With the resort’s in-house facility, this process becomes easier as the free testing’s results return within 24 hours.
Kelly adds, “The latest initiative also aligns itself with Emirates Airlines’ free medical cover for COVID-19-related expenses, designed to boost people’s confidence to travel during the pandemic.”
Notably, Dubai reopened its international borders to tourists on July 7, 2020. Currently, visitors to the emirate can check out attractions and facilities such as public and hotel beaches; shopping malls; restaurants; swimming pools; water parks; and golf courses, and also enjoy activities such as water sports and camping.
Related: #SomeGoodNews: Dubai Reopens Its Doors For International Travellers