Ban on Indians Entering UAE Continues Despite Earlier Notified Ease in Restrictions, FAA Says

An earlier notification by authorities in Dubai mentioned that travel has been eased for people travelling from India to UAE. The notification stated that if the residents from certain countries, including India, have received two doses of a UAE-approved COVID-19 vaccine, they could enter Dubai. The Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management in Dubai, headed by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, announced updates to Dubai’s travel protocols for inbound passengers from South Africa, Nigeria and India, effective from June 23, the Gulf News reported.

In a recent update from Federal Aviation Authority, the ban on entry from India, South Africa and Nigeria remains in place. In a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on Sunday, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) referenced a June 21 GCAA document stating entry from 13 countries, including Pakistan, was banned due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Dubai, a business and tourism hub, is the most populous of the UAE’s seven emirates. Throughout the pandemic, the UAE’s seven emirates have set some of their own COVID-19 policies. Dubai had said on June 19 that an entry ban on those who in the past 14 days had visited India, Nigeria and South Africa would ease from June 23.

Under the changes, the entry would be permitted to UAE residents in India who were fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, anyone in South Africa who was fully vaccinated and those in Nigeria who had tested negative for coronavirus in the past 48 hours.

A GCAA representative on Sunday said those travelling from India were still banned from entering the UAE but deferred further comment to the Dubai government. Dubai’s media office did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Also Watch:

Dubai’s Emirates airline said on Twitter flights from India were available from July 7 but cautioned that could change. “We’re waiting for the exact travel protocols and guidelines before we can resume."

Indians represent one of the UAE’s largest residential communities and are the biggest source market for tourists. Dubai reopened its borders to foreign visitors in July, while Abu Dhabi requires arrivals from most countries to quarantine.

A national ban on entry from India began in April as India faced a surge in coronavirus infections. Certain individuals, such as UAE citizens and diplomats, have been exempted from entry bans.

With Inputs from Reuters

Read all the Latest News, Breaking News and Coronavirus News here.