Fully vaccinated? Then get ready to resume your travels (with safety!). First up—Dubai, with Emirates leading the way. By Meenakshi Maidas
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Missing the lively nightlife and hours of shopping in Dubai? If you have a valid visa and have received two doses of any of the UAE-approved vaccines, you can fly down to the City of Gold, starting June 23. And Emirates is here to make your journey easier.
With the Dubai government announcing ease on travel restrictions for arrivals from India, starting June 23, Emirates will be resuming flights connecting India, South Africa and Nigeria, reports media. Referring to a statement, Emirates spokesperson reportedly said that the airline welcomes the latest protocols announced by the government.
Travellers from India will be required to follow certain travel regulations–passengers need to have a valid residence visa; should be fully vaccinated with Sinopharm, Pfizer BioNTech, Sputnik-V, or Oxford Astra Zeneca; and should provide a negative RT-PCR test report, taken not more than 48 hours before departure. Take note that only QR coded test certificates will be accepted. UAE nationals, however, are exempted from this.
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In addition, Indian passengers need to take a rapid PCR test four hours prior to departure and another one upon arrival. They will be required to be in institutional quarantine till the test results arrive, which usually takes 24 hours, reports Gulf News.
Notably, the UAE government had suspended all flights from India in April to curb COVID-19 spread, making one of the busiest air corridors stay still for over two months, reports South China Morning Post.
Almost 51 per cent of Dubai’s population comprises Indians (according to World Population Review) and therefore the ease in travel restrictions will have a huge impact on the aviation industry. In its latest update, Emirates reported to have suspended flights from India till July 6, 2021. UAE nationals, UAE golden visa holders and diplomatic mission members were omitted from these restrictions. But the company welcomed the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management in Dubai’s new rules and has decided to resume travels from June itself, reports Gulf News.
Editor’s Note: Keeping the current situation of the pandemic in mind, T+L India recommends every reader to stay safe, and take all government-regulated precautions in case travel at this time is absolutely necessary. Please follow our stories on COVID-19 for all the latest travel guidelines.
Related: Here’s How You Can Go On A Culinary Journey With Emirates (From Your Home)
