UAE Suspends Flights From 3 African Countries With Exemptions

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) in the UAE announced the suspension of flights coming from three African countries.

Passenger flights from Zambia, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be suspended for all incoming national and foreign carriers effective June 11 at 11:59 pm.

Meanwhile, Cargo flights will continue to operate and so will outbound flights.

"The General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed that travellers coming from Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda through other countries are required to have a period of stay in those countries of not less than 14 days in order to be allowed to enter the country, with the continuation of cargo flights between the UAE with the three countries," said a statement on NCEMA.

#NCEMA and Civil Aviation: Entry suspension for travelers from Zambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda on national & foreign flights, also for transit passengers, with the exception of transit flights traveling to UAE & bound for these countries. https://t.co/VrD5iXybog pic.twitter.com/jqXJqEq7Ki

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) June 9, 2021

"The authority called on all passengers affected by the decision to follow up and communicate with the airlines associated with them to modify and schedule their flights and ensure their safe return to their final destinations without any delay or other obligations."

Exemptions will be there for certain categories of passengers:

• UAE citizens and their first-degree relatives, those on diplomatic missions accredited by the UAE and the three countries (including administrators working in embassies)
• Official delegations and businessmen provided that they receive prior approval, and golden and silver residence visa holders
• The holders of essential jobs according to the classification of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), crews of foreign shipment and transit aircraft

Requirements

Exempted groups must comply with additional preventive measures that include a 10-day quarantine and PCR testing at the airport and also on day 4 and day 8 after entering the country

The required PCR testing period prior to travel has been reduced from 72 to 48 hours, and all tests must be administered by accredited laboratories that issue results carrying a QR code

Travellers coming from the three countries through other countries are required to provide proof of a period of stay in those places of no less than 14 days in order to be allowed to enter the UAE.

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