The United Arab Emirates, UAE, authorities in Dubai have announced a revision in procedures for international passengers coming from Nigeria, the Republic of India and South Africa on June 19.

In the newly announced procedures, the authorities said it will ease restrictions and confirmed that Emirate Airlines would start airlifting passengers from these countries with effect from June 23, NAN reports.

It can be recalled that in February 2021, the UAE authorities suspended the airlifting of passengers from Nigeria to Dubai, but stated that airlines can airlift passengers from Dubai to Nigeria as part of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The ban on international flights from Nigeria by the UAE authorities was further extended in the month of March.

This is contained in a statement issued by the UAE Embassy in Abuja.

According to the statement, the new rules issued by the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management in Dubai are effective from June 23, the Dubai Media Office said.

Also, that the updates are part of the Committee’s keenness to protect passengers and ease hassles for them without compromising on COVID-19 preventive measures, said the Chairman of the Supreme Committee, Sheikh Mansoor Al-Maktoum.

The statement reads, “The Media Office announcement said the updated travel protocols are part of a normal process of revising and optimising preventive measures based on the latest local, regional and international developments.

“Following the announcement, UAE carrier Emirates Airlines confirmed it would start carrying passengers from South Africa, Nigeria and India in accordance with the new protocols from June 23.

“We look forward to facilitating travel from these countries and supporting various travellers’ categories,” an official statement from the airline said.

It stated that “residence visa holders from India and travellers from South Africa should’ve taken two doses of a vaccine approved by UAE authorities and carry RT-PCR tests reports from labs approved by the federal governments of these countries.

“But for Nigerians vaccination is not made mandatory but all other conditions apply.

“In addition to the above, Indians have to take a rapid PCR test four hours prior to their travel.

“While there are four vaccines in the UAE for use on eligible individuals against the COVID-19 infection – Sinopharm, Pfizer-BioNTech, Sputnik V and Oxford-AstraZeneca, it is unclear if the UAE has approved vaccines administered on Indian, South African and Nigerian citizens in their countries,” it stated.

NAN reports that all travellers are also required to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours before departure; however, UAE citizens are exempted.

The only QR coded PCR test result certificates are accepted. All passengers must take a rapid PCR test four hours prior to the flight departure. All passengers must undergo a PCR test on arrival at Dubai Airport.

Passengers should undergo institutional quarantine until they receive their PCR test result, which is expected within 24 hours.

Passengers should produce a negative PCR test certificate with a QR Code from labs approved by the Nigerian government.

All passengers must undergo a PCR test on arrival at Dubai Airport. Transit passengers should comply with entry protocols of final destinations.

Entry will now be permitted to residents who have received two doses of UAE-approved vaccines, the statement said.

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