COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in UAE (13 December Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter.

• Expired residency permits will be accepted until 31 December.

• Citizens and residents of the UAE are allowed to travel abroad.

• UAE residents will need to get approval through https://uaeentry.ica.gov.ae from ICA before departure from UAE. They must check their status before departure. This does not apply to travellers returning to Dubai.

• The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments has issued the following protocols for residents/citizens of UAE who are wishing to perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia:

  • Pilgrims must meet the age requirement (18-50) issued by Saudi Arabia.

  • Pilgrims must have a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued within the last 72 hours prior to arrival in Saudi Arabia.

  • All pilgrims must have a reservation to perform Umrah through the ‘Eatmarna’ app.

  • UAE residents must have an Umrah visa that can be obtained from Saudi Arabia embassy in the UAE.

  • All pilgrims must download the ‘Tawakalna’ app authorized by Saudi Arabia authorities.

  • All pilgrims must have a return ticket before arrival in Saudi Arabia.

  • All pilgrims must have a package for accommodation, including self-quarantine for 3 days, and arrangement for transportation between accommodation and destinations.

• Abu Dhabi

• Passengers having a residence visa are also allowed to travel to Abu Dhabi.

• Dubai

• Residents arriving in Dubai must get a GDRFA approval prior to departure through this website here.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes

• Foreigners are allowed to enter.

• UAE authorities have resumed issuing visas to foreigners from all countries except 13 countries including: Pakistan, Algeria, Lebanon, Tunisia, Turkey, Iran, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Libya, Kenya, and Afghanistan for visiting all seven regions of UAE. Work permits are currently issued only for government and semi-government employees, workers for the vital sectors, and domestic workers.

  • The suspension will not affect already issued visas.

  • The issuance of visas to the travellers from those 13 countries will remain suspended until further notice.

• All departing travellers from UAE to the EU and UK must have a negative PCR test certificate issued within the last 96 hours prior to their departure. Children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from this test. However, travellers departing from Dubai are not required to have a test certificate to enter the UK.

• Nationals of Indonesia must have an entry permit and return ticket while travelling for Safe Travel Corridor Programme.

• Visas issued by UAE that expired after 1 March 2020 are being accepted for entry until 31 December. However, visas must be validated after entry within 30 days.

• Abu Dhabi

• Visas are being issued again at Abu Dhabi airport (AUH).

• Visitors can travel to Abu Dhabi by road.

• International travellers will need to disclose the date of entry into the country at the entry ports of Abu Dhabi.

• Indian citizens are required to have a visa issued by the USA or with a residence permit issued by USA or an EU member state to travel to Abu Dhabi.

• Dubai

• Visit and tourist visas are being issued at Dubai Airports.

• Travellers arriving from some countries, including Canada, the US, and the UK, may be able to obtain a tourist visa after arriving in Dubai which will be valid for 30 days. For visa requirements, visit this website here.

• All arrivals with visit and tourist visas in Dubai will need to have a return ticket to enter Dubai otherwise they will be denied entry.

• Citizens of Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia arriving in Dubai must have a UAE identity card.

• Sharjah

• Tourists arriving in Sharjah must have a return ticket.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes

• Transiting is allowed at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), Dubai International Airport (DXB), Al Maktoum (DWC), and Sharjah International Airport (SHJ).

  • Travellers must have a negative COVID-19 certificate from an approved lab taken at most 96 hours prior to departure. Travellers can find approved labs here. People below 12 years of age and disabled people are exempt from this requirement when entering Dubai or Abu Dhabi or Al Maktoum. UAE nationals are exempt from this requirement when entering Dubai and Al Maktoum.

• Transit through Abu Dhabi (AUH) is allowed for a maximum 12-hours, and anyone transiting Abu Dhabi for more than 8 hours must have a hotel booking in advance.

• Anyone with UK Emergency Travel Documents may enter, transit, and exit from the UAE.

Is a test required on arrival/departure?

• No with exceptions

• Strict entry restrictions remain in place upon arrival at all airports in the UAE which may include a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival. All arrivals will undergo medical screening.

• Passengers arriving Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Maktoum, or Sharjah may be required to go through COVID-19 test.

• Airline crew arriving at Abu Dhabi may be required to go through screening measures.

• Abu Dhabi:

  • Residents and visitors arriving in Abu Dhabi must have a COVID-19 test based on the period of stay.

  • Arrivals staying for four days or more must have a COVID-19 PCR test on the 4th day.

  • Arrivals staying for eight days or more, must have a COVID-19 PCR test on 8th day.

Is a test certificate allowed?

• Yes with exceptions

• The test certificates must be in English or Arabic.

• According to the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, test reports issued by some Indian laboratories are not being accepted. Travellers are advised to ensure their tests are done by approved laboratories.

• Travellers arriving Al Maktoum or Dubai must have a test certificate issued by an approved lab listed on https://screening.purehealth.ae or a lab approved by the departure country. UAE residents, passenger with disabilities, and travellers below 12 years of age are exempt from this requirement.

Test certificate required?

• Yes with exceptions

• All citizens, returning residents, transit passengers, and tourists (with a few exceptions for Dubai) must have a certificate showing a negative result for a COVID-19 PCR test done within 96 hours before boarding a flight to travel to the UAE. The certificate is required for travellers from all countries arriving at all airports. Children under the age of 12 and anyone with severe to moderate disabilities are exempt from the test requirement.

• Dubai and Al Maktoum:

• Travellers arriving in Dubai must have a printed negative COVID-19 test certificate issued within the last 96 hours prior to departure. Nationals of UAE, people below 12 years of age, disabled people are exempt from this requirement.

• Travellers arriving from Bahrain, Germany, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, or UK are not required to have the certificate. However, they must go through a COVID-19 test and quarantine on arrival. Travellers entering through land borders must have the certificate issued within the last 96-hours prior to departure.

• Travellers entering without the certificate are also required to go through a COVID-19 test and quarantine on arrival.

• Abu Dhabi

• All arrivals, including visitors and residents in Abu Dhabi, must have a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued within the last 96 hours. People aged below 12 years of age and disabled people are exempted from this requirement.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• Passengers arriving Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Maktoum, or Sharjah may be required to go through quarantine.

• Airline crew arriving at Abu Dhabi may be required to go through quarantine.

Insurance required?

• Yes

• All travellers arriving in UAE from Nigeria must have valid health insurance that covers the duration of their stay.

• Dubai

• Visitors and tourists must have valid medical insurance before departing for Dubai.

• Sharjah

• All arrivals should have international health insurance that also covers medical expenses for COVID-19.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• Nationals of Korea must have an “Isolation Exemption Certificate” and a pre-arranged visa while travelling on the Fast Track program.

• Dubai

• Arrivals in Dubai (DXB) will need to complete a self-declaration health form and a Quarantine Form. Both forms need to be completed, printed, and handed over to Dubai Health Authority staff on arrival.

• Sharjah

• All arrivals will need to complete a “Health Disclosure Form” upon arrival at the airport.

• Ras Al Khaimah

• Anyone entering Ras Al Khaimah will need to fill a health disclosure form on arrival.

Recommended Border App

• Yes with exception

• Abu Dhabi

• All arrivals in Abu Dhabi will need to wear a GPS bracelet for the initial 14-days.

• The Department of Health of Abu Dhabi has launched a new mobile app, “Stay Home,” to ensure that people asked to self-quarantine are following the quarantine requirements properly.

• Dubai

• All travellers will also need to download and register a Smart App, COVID-19 DXB.

• Sharjah

• Citizens and residents must download the Al Hosn app during the quarantine period.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• Masks are required.

• Commercial flights are operating to and from the United Arab Emirates.

• Emirates has resumed its flights between Dubai Airport and Durban’s King Shaka International Airport.

• Travellers departing the UAE on flights from Abu Dhabi may be required to take a COVID-19 test before departure.

• Flydubai has cancelled its flight services from Dubai to Zagreb (Croatia) at least until 2021.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• The border with Oman has reopened.

• Cruise ships are not allowed to dock at the ports.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• There is no nationwide curfew in place at this time.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Restrictions on the movement of people from other emirates into Abu Dhabi has been lifted.

• Residents in Abu Dhabi are allowed to travel outside of the emirate for 48 hours. All travellers must have a COVID-19 test performed before departure. Residents travelling to other emirates for more than 48 hours will need to take another test on return to Abu Dhabi.

• Public bus services are operating in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain City, and Al Dhafra regions during the hours of 06:00 to 20:00 (local time).

• Dubai has resumed its inter-city bus services to Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman. Bus services with Sharjah and Abu Dhabi are expected to resume soon.

• Ferry services between Saadiyat and Ras Ghurab Islands remain suspended.

• On Dalma Island, ferry services will operate from Dalma at 07:00 (local time) and from Jebel Al Dhanna Port at 16:00, daily except for Thursdays and Saturdays. There will be two services from Dalma at 07:00 and 13:30, and from Jebel Al Dhanna Port at 10:00 and 16:00 on Thursdays and Saturdays.

• Tram services are operating between 07:00 to 23:00 (Sunday to Thursday).

• Ferry, water taxis, as well as marine transportations will operate from 08:30 to 21:00 (local time).

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Shopping malls are open from 09:00 until 22:00 (local time).

• Retail outlets are allowed to open from 06:00 to 22:00 (local time).

• Abu Dhabi

• Coffee shops, licensed food outlets, hospitality and catering services both in and outside of malls may operate at limited capacity.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Social distancing and the wearing of face masks is mandatory when away from your home. This also applies to visitors staying in hotels when they are not in their room.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Abu Dhabi

• Restaurants, both in and outside of malls may operate at limited capacity.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Abu Dhabi

• Cafes both in and outside of malls may operate at limited capacity.

• Dubai

• Bars are allowed to reopen. Mass gatherings still remain prohibited.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes with exception

• Most public beaches, and parks will remain closed until further notice.

• Abu Dhabi

• Parks and beaches are open in Abu Dhabi. All social distancing measures should be followed.

• Dubai

• Grand parks (Mushrif, Al Mamzar, Dubai Creek, Al Safa, and Zabeel) are open from 08:00 to 11:00 (local time).

• Beaches are open.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Abu Dhabi

• Museums are allowed to reopen with limited capacity.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Most of the non-essential services are allowed to resume.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Mosques, churches, and temples are allowed to resume at reduced capacity. People below age 12 and above 60 who have a contact history with COVID-19 infected people or those with any symptoms of COVID-19 will be denied entry into the mosques.

• Abu Dhabi:

• St Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi has reopened.

• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Fujairah’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and the Founder’s Memorial have reopened. Visitors are also allowed and should book online.

• All places of worship for non-Muslims are allowed to resume services at a limited capacity while maintaining social distancing protocols.

Events allowed?

• Yes

• Abu Dhabi authorities have announced the following measures for the community sports events such as cycling, running, open-water swimming, triathlon, and marine:

  • Participants have to register through the sports council’s websites.

  • Anyone below age 12 and above 60 will not be allowed to participate.

  • No spectators will be allowed.

  • All participants must have a negative COVID-19 test certificate. Temperature screenings will also be done.

  • Wearing of masks and gloves by the participants is mandatory.

  • All people attending sports events will need to follow social distancing protocols.

• Social events are allowed in Sharjah.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Face coverings are mandatory for all people in public places. Anyone violating the rules could be subject to fines. Social distancing is required.

• Dubai: People in Dubai may apply to the authorities through www.dxbpermit.gov.ae. for an exemption from the mandatory rule to wear a face covering.

Other

• Most schools have reopened.

• Companies are allowed to resume services with reduced staff.

• Most cinemas, gyms, and playgrounds will remain closed until further notice.

• Government offices reopened. Pregnant women, elderly persons, or those under medical treatment are asked to work from home.

• Abu Dhabi

• Shopping malls are allowed to reopen with limited capacity. Gyms, indoor and outdoor sports, such as cricket, horse riding, and cycling are permitted for people between the ages of 12 to 60.

• Gatherings at funerals should not exceed more than 50 people.

• Cinemas located in shopping malls are open.

• Dubai

• A limited number of spectators are allowed at Dubai sports.

• Shisha serving centres and smoking areas have reopened. All social distancing measures should be followed.

• Residential areas and lake gardens are also allowed to reopen from 08:00 to 23:59 (local time).

• Wedding receptions will be allowed to resume in Dubai.

• Students and staff returning to educational institutes in Dubai after travelling abroad will need to bring a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within the last 48-hours prior to their joining. Anyone without the test certificate will need use distance learning for 14 days. They can resume on-site learning if they provide a negative PCR test certificate.

• Sharjah:

• Cinemas, entertainment centres, auction houses, fitness facilities, and valet services reopened with limited capacity and social distancing protocols.

• Ajman

• Shisha serving centres and smoking areas have reopened.

Consigli

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.