by kahaf | Jan 29, 2021 | Uncategorized
Saudi Arabia has postponed the reopening of its sea, land, and airports and has extended the travel ban for its citizens till May 17 instead of March 31.
In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Friday, an official source at the interior ministry said the decision was taken based on the health ministry’s statement that the COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers were late in delivering contracted batches on schedule.
The source added the move to extend the date was made due to the importance of reaching high levels of community immunity in Saudi Arabia before travel is permitted, in light of a possible second wave of the pandemic in many countries, in the interest of public health in the Kingdom and to maintain low infection rates.
by kahaf | Jan 29, 2021 | Uncategorized
Before you travel
New requirement for all passengers arriving in Dubai from 31 January 2021
Tourists travelling to, from, and through Dubai
Dubai is open to tourists once again. Check back frequently for the latest information about COVID-19 travel and testing requirements for travelling to, from or connecting through Dubai.Last updated: 29 January 2021
From 31 January 2021, all passengers arriving into Dubai from any point of origin (GCC countries included) must hold a negative COVID 19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours before departure.
- UAE nationals are exempt from the above, but will be required to take a PCR test on arrival at Dubai airport.
- Children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from the COVID‑19 PCR test
- Passengers arriving into Dubai from the below countries will be required to take another PCR test on arrival at Dubai International airport.
- Passengers transiting through Dubai from the below countries, are required to present a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours before departure, as well as to follow any requirements mandated by their final destination.
Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malta, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Rwanda, Russia, Senegal, Slovakia, Somaliland, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Passengers transiting through Dubai from all other countries do not need a PCR test unless required by their final destination.
COVID‑19 PCR test requirements for Dubai by country before 31 January 2021
The following entry rules apply to tourists travelling to Dubai from these countries and territories:
Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives Islands, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States
- Tourists must present a valid negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 96 hours before departure.
- The certificate must be for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Other test certificates including antibody tests and home testing kits are not accepted in Dubai.
- If you are taking a test before you depart, you must bring an official, printed certificate in English or Arabic to check in – SMS and digital certificates are not accepted.
- Passengers taking advantage of our Dubai Connect service who have booked a hotel outside the airport must present a valid negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 96 hours before departure.
The following entry rules apply to tourists travelling to Dubai from these countries and territories:
Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil (effective 31st January 2021), Cambodia, Chile, Cote d’lvoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Slovakia, Somaliland, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- Tourists must take two COVID‑19 PCR tests: one 96 hours prior to departure, and a second test upon arrival in Dubai.
- The certificate must be for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Other test certificates including antibody tests and home testing kits are not accepted in Dubai.
- You must bring an official, printed certificate in English or Arabic to check in – SMS and digital certificates are not accepted.
- If you are transiting in Dubai, you are not required to present a COVID‑19 PCR test certificate unless it is mandated.
Test exemptions:
- Children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from this test. There may be specific test exemptions in your country of origin and final destination. Please check the requirement before you travel.
COVID‑19 testing laboratories:
- The UAE government has specified designated laboratories. You can either use the recommended laboratories in the list or any trusted and certified laboratories in your country of origin to get your COVID‑19 PCR test.
- If you are flying from India, Pakistan, Nigeria or Bangladesh , you must get your certificate from one of the labs listed in the designated laboratories document to be accepted on the flight.
When you arrive
- You may need to take another COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival. If you take a test at the airport, you must remain in your hotel or residence until you receive the test result.
- If the test result is positive, you will be required to undergo isolation and follow the Dubai Health Authority guidelines
by kahaf | Jan 29, 2021 | Uncategorized
Travel to Saudi Arabia
There are restrictions on the categories of passengers who can enter Saudi Arabia at this time. Please check the requirements before you travel. If you are travelling to Saudi Arabia, you must take a COVID‑19 PCR test before departure.
Travel Eligibility
Travel is suspended to and from India, Brazil, Argentina, United Kingdom and South Africa, including any passenger who has been in these countries in the last 14 days prior to their arrival in the Kingdom.
Health practitioners in India and their families are exempt from the suspension of travel to and from countries where COVID‑19 has outbreak.
Exceptions:
- Saudi nationals can travel to Saudi Arabia from any country.
- Passengers who have been in the UAE for 14 days are excluded from this restriction.
- Passengers who have an official government invitation are excluded from this restriction.
COVID‑19 testing requirements
All non‑Saudis, except children 8 years and below, must present a negative COVID‑19 PCR test result issued by an accredited laboratory. The test must be done not later than 72 hours before the scheduled departure to the Kingdom and the test validity is from the time the test result was received and should not exceed the validity of 72 hours at the time of arrival to Saudi Arabia.
Additional entry requirement for Riyadh and Dammam: The test validity of 72 hours is to be calculated from the time the sample was taken.
The COVID‑19 PCR test certificate has to be valid at the time of entry to either Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh or Medina.
Quarantine
All passengers arriving in the Kingdom must comply with completing the full home quarantine period for 3 days and proceed for COVID‑19 PCR test after 48 hours from arrival. If the COVID‑19 PCR test is not done after arrival, then the home quarantine period will extend to 7 days.
Passengers arriving from Australia, Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, France, Singapore, Canada, Iceland, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Spain, Sweden and Japan have to complete a full home quarantine of 7 days with a COVID‑19 PCR test on the 6th day.
Saudi National and the authorised passengers arriving from United kingdom and South Africa have to complete a full home quarantine of 14 days with a COVID‑19 PCR test after 48 hours and repeat the test on the 13th day.
Please read the Preventive Measures Disclaimer for Travellers Arriving to Saudi Arabia during the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Required forms
All passengers must complete the health disclaimer form provided on board and present it on arrival to the Airport Health Control Centre.
Entry allowed to the Kingdom for citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Member States as well as non‑Saudis who obtain any of the following visas: exit and re‑entry, work permit, or Iqama (resident permit).
The entry of GCC citizens and non‑Saudis into the Kingdom is subject to the preventive health measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID‑19.
Passengers with “Premium Residency” and their families with an expired exit and return visa to KSA will be permitted to board, but must pay the renewal fee upon arrival.
Other information
Transit is not permitted in all KSA airports.
Tourist visit visa to KSA is restricted until further notice.
Travel from Saudi Arabia
If you are travelling from Saudi Arabia, you may be required to take a COVID‑19 PCR test and submit additional documentation before departure. Please check the requirements of your specific destination before you travel.
Required forms
Saudi nationals must have prior approval from the local authority to be eligible to travel from Saudi Arabia to or transit Dubai.
All nationalities, except Saudi nationals, are allowed to travel from Saudi Arabia to or transit Dubai.
