Manama: The UAE airlines will accept the mandatory PCR test results from laboratories accredited by governments in the countries or city of departure in the absence of UAE-designated labs there, according to the airline’s updated travel guidelines.
PCR test from ICMR approved laboratory or a certified designated laboratory, which is available on the website of Pure Health, no older than 96 hours, is required to travel to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
PCR test results from any local laboratory approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) or the Government of India will be accepted. A printout of the negative result should be kept with the passenger during travel and has to be presented upon request.
Emirates and Air India Express have also listed ICMR-accredited labs under the list of labs approved for passengers from India.
The new rule came into effect from 1st August 2020. Etihad and Air India Express have reminded passengers to carry a printed copy of their test results.
The earlier decision, mandatory pre-flight Covid-19 PCR negative certificate for UAE inbound passengers, will remain in force. According to this, all inbound travelers, UAE citizens, residents, tourists and transiting passengers, are required to carry a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test report prior to their departure.
The PCR test for coronavirus must be taken a maximum of 96 hours before departure. But, children under 12 years and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from this condition.
If the UAE government has specified a designated laboratory in the home country, then the expat / passenger must get his certificate from that lab, Emirates airline said in the update travel guidance. If it is not specified, the traveler has to use an accredited lab in his country of departure to avail the certificate.
The airline has provided a list of laboratories designated by the UAE government, which includes labs accredited by governments of other countries as well.
Etihad airways, the flag carrier of the Abu Dhabi emirates, has also announced a relaxation in this rule.
Earlier, the airline made it mandatory for its passengers to get PCR test results only from labs approved under the network of Pure Health.
In the latest update, the airline said passengers can opt for locally-approved clinics it had listed for cities or countries of departure on its website if there are no approved Pure Health facilities in their city or country of departure.
Etihad has also provided a link through which passengers can find the closest clinic by entering their city or country of departure.
Meanwhile, Air India Express, which flies passengers from India to the UAE, said that a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test report in the printed form is required to travel to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. PCR certificates from ICMR approved laboratory in India or a certified designated laboratory, which is available on the website of Pure Health, will be accepted, Air India said.
At the same time, Indians arriving at Dubai Airport will also have to undergo a second Covid-19 test. As a result, Indians coming to Dubai will have two PCR tests in five days.
