Expats returning to the UAE will need to postpone their trips for at least two weeks as the government today, Thursday March 19, suspended entry of all residence visa holders as part of measures to dodge a COVID-19 outbreak in the country, where the number of infections has jumped in March and currently stands at 113.
In line with this, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) has established a round-the-clock helpline to facilitate procedures.
Holders of valid residence permits overseas and their family members and first-degree relatives in the UAE can call the helpline 0097124965228 for inquiries and assistance for humanitarian and emergency cases to ensure their safe return to the UAE, MoFAIC said.
The agency explained that these measures were part of precautionary and preventive efforts taken by the UAE to contain the spread of COVID-19
The measure, which took effect at 12 noon, reportedly created confusion at the UAE’s airports as returning expats caught by the deadline were ordered back.
Comment thread of the announcement, which was made through the Emirates News Agency on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/WAMNEWS_ENG/status/1240406975453765635) was also filled with queries as expats were consequently thrown in limbo. Some were saying there should have been at least a 2-day window prior to implementation.
Netizens, too, were taken aback by the new directive.
“So, it means umalis ng hatinggabi sa atin (sa Pilipinas), pasok pa. Ang nakakaloka, last minute yang 12 noon nila. Marami ang naabala. May nakapasok na sa eroplano, pinababa pa,” Annie Salcedo of Sharjah told Rappler. Her son was supposed to go to Dubai but had to postpone because of a separate UAE directive cancelling visit visa issuances that took effect two days ago on March 17.
Kate Marajas, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) currently in the Philippines on a two-week leave, said it has all been a rollercoaster ride for her as the whole of Luzon island was put on lockdown. Aggravating the situation was an announcement by the government to stop international flights, which was later on eased. And now, this new directive.
“Honestly, it’s somehow devastating. We can’t really tell what will happen in the next few days – the Malacanang Palace implementing new and revised guidelines, airlines suspending the flights, and some workers losing their jobs due to COVID-19.
“I understand that government officials are trying to do their best but please clarify all these measures kasi it’s causing us confusion,” she told Rappler.
Marajas, who works a writing job in Abu Dhabi, arrived in Manila on March 14. She was supposed to be back in Abu Dhabi on April 7.
She said her boss advised her not to stressed herself out and extend her leave of absence, albeit without pay for the number of days beyond the company-approved date.
Kris Ayuso, customer service manager at an advertising company in Dubai, said she was supposed to fly on the same day the same day the suspension took effect.
“Yung araw na iyon ako dapat babalik,” she said.
Staying in Laguna, Ayuso said she went home on March 12 because her sister-in-law passed away.
“Online naman lahat ng system namin so I can work remotely,”Ayuso said, adding that she has not talked to her employer about whether her extended stay in the Philippines can be added to her paid leave credits.
She said current developments have been nerve-wracking.
“Nakaka-hassle sya.. nagparebook na kami ng ticket. Originally, March 21 kami pabalik ng Dubai, then nag-announce na 72 hours dapat maka-alis ng Pilipinas so nagrebook kami only to find out the next day binawi yung 72 hours and then yung ngang entry suspension ng UAE.
“Its frustrating kasi our work nga is there plus magma-month end so there is the worry of the bills and all. Pero at the end of the day, we respect and understand naman yung ways ng UAE government for everyone’s safety.
“Ang worry lang din namin is ung rebooking ng ticket since additional cost sya plus we were advised that since its a developing situation, wag muna pa-rebook din.”
The directive suspending the entry of all UAE valid residence visa holders, who are currently out of the country, for a renewable period of two weeks effective 12 noon of Thursday, March 19, comes as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of those affected by the decision, ENA, a government operated news outfit, reported.
The directive is subject to renewals depending on the health status measures taken due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, ENA said.
Meantime the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) has requested those holding valid UAE visas, and now staying out of the country, to pursue the following procedures:
- Those who are now staying in their countries of origin have to contact the UAE diplomatic missions in their respective nations for all necessary support and to streamline their return back to the UAE.
- Those who are currently outside the UAE for business considerations have to contact their employers here as well as Emirati diplomatic missions in their host countries for all necessary support to facilitate their return back to the UAE.
- Those who are now on vacation have to contact UAE diplomatic missions in their respective host countries for all necessary support to facilitate their return back to the UAE.
The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has for its part urged the families and kin of of those affected by the decision to get in touch with the ICA via the following contact numbers to get updated on all the measures they have to pursue:
- Fax: 025543883
- Mobile: 0501066099
- Landline 02 3128867- 02 3128865
- Email: Operation@ica.gov.ae
The Daily Bread 