Negative Covid-19 PCR test result must for returning UAE residents

Dubai - Residents also need to sign a health declaration form.

By Sahim Salim

Published: Thu 23 Jul 2020, 9:50 PM

UAE residents returning from abroad will be required to submit a negative Covid-19 PCR test before flying, it was announced on Wednesday. All airports will follow this requirement from July 24, a top official said.
Airlines need to ensure that all passengers have the negative PCR result issued by accredited centres not more than 72 hours prior to arrival in the UAE.
They also need to ensure that residents have signed a Health Declaration Form.
Addressing a virtual briefing, Dr Saif Al Dhaheri, official spokesperson of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), said the list of accredited centres is available on www.screening.purehealth.ae.
For countries that do not have testing centres listed on the website, it is up to the airlines to ensure that the passenger has a negative PCR test result from approved centres, the NCEMA said on Twitter.
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad airlines listed the Covid-19 PCR test result as a requirement for residents at check-in at the port of departure. "If there are no testing facilities at your point of departure, or you test positive, you will not be permitted to travel," the airline said on its website.
Earlier, Dubai-based Emirates had specified certain countries from where residents had to have a negative Covid-19 PCR test result issued no less than 96 hours prior to travel. The countries on the list included Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russian Federation, Sudan, Tanzania and some cities in the US.
sahim@khaleejtimes.com