All UAE residents currently stuck abroad and wanting to return must complete a Covid-19 test, the UAE government has announced.
Those who do not have a Covid negative test taken within 72 hours of take-off will not be permitted to board the aircraft.
This is part of the key guidelines announced on Sunday by the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship for residents with valid visas to return to the country starting July 1.
The Covid-19 test should be conducted at accredited laboratories spread across 106 cities in 17 countries worldwide, said the authorities. More countries will be added to the list shortly as part of the second and third phases.
Residents can access the list of accredited laboratories on smartservices.ica.gov.ae. The laboratories are aware of the time constraints and will deliver results diligently.
For residents returning from countries without an accredited lab, Covid-19 tests can be conducted upon arrival back in the UAE. Residents will have to quarantine for 14 days either at home or take institutional quarantine.
All costs for quarantining and medical assistance will be borne by the individual. In certain cases, companies that employ the returning residents have to incur the expenses.
All returning residents will also have be required to download a certified app which will allow monitoring by government health agencies while in quarantine.
