UAE eases restrictions on entry

The UAE has announced that fully vaccinated resident visa holders are allowed to come back from 15 countries as of today, following at least a four month suspension.

The UAE's National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Federal Authority For Identity And Citizenship (ICA) made the announcement over the weekend and added that valid resident visa holders who stayed abroad for over six months are also permitted to return to the country only if they are fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved vaccine as of today.

The decision covers passengers coming from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Namibia, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, South Africa, Nigeria and Afghanistan.

Authorities stressed the previous rules for unvaccinated people coming from the above-mentioned countries, including exempted categories, remain in place.

Dubai, on the other hand, does not require residents to be vaccinated to return.

The latest move comes as the emirate is preparing to host a series of major international events such as the Expo 2020 and the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The easing of restrictions continues to lift the country's air travel and jet fuel demand. The UAE's largest national carrier, Emirates, handled nearly 1.2m passengers at DXB in the summer months of July and August, close to three times more than it did over the corresponding period last year.

By Sarah Raffoul