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UAE-US flights: Mandatory Covid test for all travellers, aged 2 and above

Dubai - An Emirates airline spokesperson confirmed the new requirements, when contacted by Khaleej Times.

From January 26, all travellers to the United States — aged two years or more — will need to present a Covid-19 negative test result before boarding the flight, according to the latest advisory from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The authority said the mandatory test is applicable to all travellers, including US citizens and permanent residents.

"You will need to get tested no more than 3 days before you travel by air into the US and show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight, or be prepared to show documentation of recovery (proof of a recent positive viral test and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel),” the CDC has said.

An Emirates airline spokesperson confirmed the new requirements, when contacted by Khaleej Times. The new travel guidelines have also been updated on their official website.

Also read: Biden orders masks, travel clampdown in new war on Covid

"Effective 26 January, all passengers 2 years of age and older are required to get a COVID‑19 viral test (nucleic acid amplification / PCR test or a viral antigen test) within 3 days before departure to the US," read a statement on the Emirates website.

"Passengers must provide written documentation of their negative test result (paper or electronic copy) to the airline. Test results must show the name, specimen collection date and type of test done. Test results where the testing date is more than 3 days before departure will not be accepted," it said.

The advisory further stated, "All passengers age 2 and above travelling to the USA will be required to sign an attestation prior to departure (parent or other authorised individual may attest on behalf of passengers aged 2 to 17) confirming they meet the requirements and thus cleared to travel. Passengers who do not attest will not be permitted to travel."

The move comes as President Joe Biden on Thursday ordered quarantine for people flying into the US, as he got to work on tackling the coronavirus pandemic on his first full day in power.