UAE abolishes Rapid PCR test requirement for Pakistan

UAE: United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has abolished the requirement of pre-departure rapid PCR tests at airports for passengers travelling to Dubai and Sharjah from Pakistan and three other countries, according to a spokesperson of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

However, passengers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka will still have to submit a valid negative PCR test certificate for a test conducted at an approved facility within 48 hours of departure.

For a test conducted within 48 hours, passengers arriving from Pakistan only need to present a valid negative COVID19 PCR test certificate with a QR code linked to the original report for verification.

Validity, however, should be determined from the time the sample was taken, prior to leaving from the approved health facility.

The UAE airlines Fly Dubai and Emirates also issued a press release to confirm the removal of the requirement for a rapid PCR test six hours prior to departure.

Meanwhile, the new travel guidelines also stated that transiting passengers are not required to present a Covid-19 PCR test certificate unless it is mandated by their final destination.

Moreover, UAE nationals are exempt from taking a Covid-19 PCR test before departing for Dubai. “They must be tested on arrival in Dubai, irrespective of their valid negative Covid-19 RT-PCR certificate from the point of origin,” the travel update issued by the UAE said.