Covid-negative certificate mandatory to return UAE

DUBAI – Pre-departure COVID-19 tests will be mandatory for returning foreign nationals from July 1. Those who do not have a Covid negative test taken within 72 hours of take-off will not be permitted to board the aircraft.

This is part of the key guidelines announced on Sunday by the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship for residents with valid visas to return to the country starting July 1.

The Covid-19 test should be conducted at accredited laboratories spread across 106 cities in 17 countries worldwide, said the authorities. More countries will be added to the list shortly as part of the second and third phases.

Residents can access the list of accredited laboratories on smartservices.ica.gov.ae.   For residents returning from countries without accredited laboratories, a COVID-19 test must be completed on arrival and they will be directed to quarantine for 14 days.

Individuals will bear all costs for tests and quarantine. All returning residents are required to download a certified app so they can be monitored while in quarantine and to monitor their health,authorities said.

All returning residents will also have be required to download a certified app which will allow monitoring by government health agencies while in quarantine.