In a major news break, Air India Express has made a Coronavirus negative test report mandatory for all the passengers travelling to the UAE. ANI quoted Air India statement, “For passengers travelling to UAE (12 yrs & above), a valid negative COVID19 PCR test report in printed form, from a govt-approved lab in India (ICMR/verified designated lab), is required. Passengers are required to take the PCR test not more than 96 hrs before departure.”
Last week, the airlines had made the negative COVID-19 result mandatory for travellers returning to India from UAE, starting August 21. As of now, the new rule is applicable for those coming from Sharjah and Abu Dhabi airports.
Similarly, people returning to Dubai must apply for an entry permit on the website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai). The test must be done in a recognised government facility.
For returnees to India from UAE, it is also mandatory to install COVID-19 DXB Smart App in smartphones. For those carrying the printed copy of their COVID-19 negative results, there’s no need to remain in the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Recently, Indian government announced its SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) for air travel and as per the aviation ministry’s guidelines, travellers will have to undergo thermal screening at the time of boarding and only asymptomatic travellers will be allowed to board the flights.
The SOP further read, “Category of persons eligible to travel will be permitted by the Home Ministry from time to time. Civil Aviation Ministry will display on its website the category of persons eligible to travel out of India”.