COVID-19 Cases

COVID-19 Omicron: UAE Places Travel Ban On Nigeria, Three Others

COVID-19 Cases

The UAE has suspended all inbound flights from Nigeria over the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

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The Emirates disclosed this after cases of Omicron increased in December.

Nigeria and three other countries were affected by this directive.

These countries include:

  • Kenya.
  • Tanzania.
  • Ethiopia.

This directive states that all inbound flights for national and international carriers and transit passengers from these countries as suspended indefinitely.

The suspension would be effective from Saturday, December 25, 2021, at 7:30 am.

Those excluded from this decision are:

  • The UAE nationals.
  • First degree relatives.
  • Diplomatic missions.
  • Official delegations between the UAE and these countries.
  • Golden residence holder.

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Travellers in the four countries, 14 days before Saturday are affected. However, the statement said flight operations to these countries would continue.

The statement read in parts:

“The excluded categories should present a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 48 hours of departure and a Rapid-PCR test at the airport within six hours of departure whenever possible and another PCR test at the airport upon arrival to UAE.

“A 10-day quarantine and a PCR test on the ninth day of entering the country is required for UAE nationals, their first-degree relatives, diplomatic missions and golden residence holders.

“GCAA also affirmed that it is required for those coming from the four countries through other countries to stay in latter countries for at least 14 days before being allowed to enter the UAE.

“UAE citizens are barred from travelling to the four African countries except for the country’s emergency treatment cases, official delegations, and scholarships.”

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It continued that the authorities have introduced new travel requirements for travellers from Uganda and Ghana.

“These include having a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 48 hours and a Rapid-PCR test at the airport within six hours of the departure.

“Those coming from Uganda and Ghana to the UAE on transit flights also have to have a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 48 hours and a Rapid-PCR test at the airport of their main point of departure within six hours of travelling in addition to another Rapid PCR test at the transit airport before being allowed to enter the UAE.

“GCAA called on all travellers affected by the decision to follow up and communicate with the airlines to amend and schedule their flights and to ensure their safe return to their final destinations without any delay or other obligations,” it said.

Source: National Daily Newspaper

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