The UAE Government has updated its Covid-19 travel protocol for unvaccinated citizens in the UAE, which will be enforced from 19 April 2022, according to Dr Taher Al Ameri, the official spokesperson for the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA).
In January 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), in coordination with the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), had placed a travel ban on UAE citizens not vaccinated against Covid-19.
During the UAE Government’s latest media briefing on the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr Al Ameri revealed that under the new travel protocols all unvaccinated individuals – including citizens and residents – will be permitted to travel if they can present a negative PCR test result taken 48 hours before their departure, and complete the travel application form on the Al Hosn app to change their status to green.
The new and updated protocol revealed by the NCEMA is in line with the UAE’s policy aimed at achieving sustainable recovery and the return to normalcy, the state-run news agency, Wam, reported.
“We urge the public to follow the required precautionary measures for all passengers before and after travel, and the current situation regarding the pandemic at their travel destinations.
“Contact the country’s diplomatic missions abroad in case of suspected infection, and use the Tawajudi service provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation,” he added.
Dr Al Ameri also highlighted the updates to the travel protocol for passengers arriving in the UAE, which will make unvaccinated individuals aged under 16 exempt from presenting a negative PCR test result upon arrival, provided that they adhere to all relevant preventive measures.
UAE’s success in combating Covid-19
The UAE has recently seen a significant decline in Covid-19 infections, which is mainly due to the efforts of the health sector and relevant national authorities, Dr Al Ameri said, noting that the UAE has achieved this success due to inter-agency cooperation and the community.
Since the start of the pandemic, all relevant authorities have been keen to launch proactive readiness plans, which include ensuring the readiness of response teams and the sustainability of the country’s infrastructure, as well as utilising national resources, strengthening strategic reserves, and establishing an accurate statistical system.
Protecting these achievements depends on the public’s commitment, Dr Al Ameri said, emphasising that cooperation of community members is the best way to overcome the crisis and achieve recovery.
Dr Al Ameri also pointed out that the UAE will continue to explore the best methods and practices to address the pandemic, and is monitoring all local and international variants of Covid-19 to develop a proactive response plan that will create a new lifestyle based on widespread social awareness.
The response to the crisis is continuing, he added, stating that national authorities are monitoring developments, and the UAE always aims to protect the health and safety of everyone, as well as its national achievements and living standards.
The UAE tops the list of countries in terms of rate of fully vaccinated individuals against Covid-19 in countries with a population of over one million, according to an index published by the ”Our World In Data” website, Dr Al Ameri said.
“In the same index, the UAE ranked second globally in terms of number of tests per 1,000 people, and fourth in terms of the rate of vaccinated individuals per 100 people, as well as first in terms of rate of those who have received at least one vaccine dose,” he added.
“The UAE ranked tenth globally in terms of number of tests administered, and ninth in having the lowest number of deaths, and we also note that no Covid-19 deaths were registered since 8 March, 2022,” he further added.
Dr Al Ameri stressed that the latest Covid-19 statistics confirm that the country has entered the recovery phase, and there is a steady decline in infections.
He urged everyone to continue adhering to the precautionary measures, including by wearing face masks indoors, practicing social distancing, sanitising hands, and avoiding crowded areas.
Adhering to the precautionary measures and being socially responsible, as well as protecting the country’s achievements, are important now more than ever, in order to maintain the stability achieved in the face of new variants, he added.
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