From August 1, 2020, all inbound and transit passengers including citizens, residents and tourists will be required to carry a negative Covid-19 PCR test result, according to the UAE government’s latest travel advisory.

The new instruction will apply to all airlines operating in the UAE and all passengers on those airlines, even if only using the airport for transit.

For Dubai, Emirates’ updated travel guideline reads, “all passengers arriving in Dubai from any destination, including those connecting in Dubai, must have a negative Covid-19 test certificate that will be accepted on the flight.”

The test must be taken a maximum of 96 hours before departure and excludes children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability.

The certificate should be from one of the designated laboratories in the country of origin, listed by the UAE government. If it is not specified, the concerned airline will get in touch with the passenger to coordinate for the test result, acquired from an accredited lab in the latter’s country of departure.

Those departing from Dubai on or after August 1 to the European Union (EU) countries and the United Kingdom, (and other mandated destinations) have to take a PCR test no more than 96 hours before departure and present the test result certificate at check-in.

Additionally, passengers may have to undergo another PCR test on arrival. They must remain in their respective hotel or residence until the test result is out. If the test result is positive, the traveller will be required to undergo isolation and follow the Dubai Health Authority guidelines.

All travellers to Dubai, including passengers with a connecting flight, must complete a health declaration form and give it to the staff at check-in. The form will also be available at the check-in counter. A quarantine undertaking form, given to you onboard also needs to be completed if Dubai is your final destination.

dubaiairports.ae, emirates.com