Travel agents and airlines informed via an updated circular.
Dubai News
The Emirates authorities have waived the rapid COVID-19 PCR test pre-condition for the passengers travelling to Dubai from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Dubai News learnt on Tuesday.
According to an updated circular shared with the travel agents and airlines, the authorities have not mentioned requirement for the pre-departure rapid test at airports of the abovementioned four countries within six hours of the flight.
The circular which is effective February 22 says that passengers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka require a negative result of a PCR test taken within 48 hours of travel. However, they also need to undergo a PCR test on arrival in Dubai besides being self-quarantine till they get their test results. The circular does not mention the rapid PCR test requirement.
The flydubai website says that passengers travelling from Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka are exempted from taking the rapid PCR tests. The Emirates has not updated the requirements on its website yet. But, the Pakistani carriers have confirmed receiving the circular.
As the UAE lifted restrictions on passenger traffic from some countries last year, authorities had announced the requirement of a rapid test at departure airports. Due to the requirement, passengers had to reach the departure airport about six hours before their flights.
Earlier, passengers travelling on Emirates, flydubai, Air India and IndiGo via direct flights from Kolkata to Dubai were exempted from the rapid PCR test requirement at the airport.
