All passengers entering Dubai, including those transiting via Dubai, should possess a Covid-19 negative PCR test report with immediate effect, announced the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) yesterday.
The real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test, abbreviated as PCR test is considered the most accurate test for coronavirus infection.
The test will remain valid for 96 hours prior to departure from the airport of origin, the DCAA said.
This was mentioned to aircraft operators conducting flight operations to and from Dubai Airports.
The bulletin states “Ensure that all passengers are in compliance with Dubai Government protocols and conditions for citizens, residents and tourists travelling into or out of Dubai airports. Ensure that all inbound passengers to Dubai (arriving or transiting) hold a negative PCR test report (Test validity 96 hours) before departure from the origin airport.”
As per guidelines issued in the last week of June, the pre-departure PCR test was not mandatory for all passengers arriving in the emirate. It was necessary only for passengers from ten countries in the announcement made by the Emirates airline on 8th July.
Now, yesterday’s instruction has made it clear to that any passenger from any country should now carry a PCR test negative report within 96 hour prior to departure.
This result should be submitted to the authorities in Dubai upon request, the bulletin stated.
The reason for making the test mandatory once again on arrival in Dubai is to ensure that only a gap of four days is maintained within which a tested passenger could have contracted the virus. In case the passenger has been infected within this time frame, it would be detected in the test conducted on arrival in Dubai.
The operators have also been asked to ensure that all passengers entering Dubai, including transit passengers through Dubai Airports, hold a valid health insurance to be used in the UAE.
