DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: The Supreme Committee on Crisis and Disaster Management (SCCDM) headed by Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has announced the following guidelines for foreign nationals with Dubai-issued residency visas in coming back to the emirate.
The new protocols, announced by the Dubai Media Office on Sunday, June 21, allow Dubai residency visa holders to return to the emirate starting Monday, June 22.
The guidelines set the following steps:
- Returning foreign nationals with Dubai-issued residency visas need to coordinate with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) and the airline they have pre-booked their flight with, to obtain prior approval for their return to the city.
- They will also need to fill up a Health Declaration Form confirming they do not have COVID-19 symptoms with the airline allowed to refuse boarding if the passenger exhibits any.
- Upon arrival at Dubai airports, returning resident visa holders will have to undergo a polymerise chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19.
- They should also register their complete details in the COVID-19 Dubai smart app available online on arrival at the airport.
- Returning residents arriving in Dubai should not leave their house until they have received their COVID-19 test result. They will be required to self-isolate themselves at home for 14 days should they test positive.
- Residents staying in shared accommodations or living in high-density housing facilities need to be isolated at an institutional facility if they test positive. The resident’s employer should make arrangements for the isolation facility in accordance with guidelines approved by the COVID-19 Command and Control Centre or bear the costs of a paid isolation facility provided by the government.
The Supreme Committee has also moved to allow citizens and residents to travel to any foreign country starting Tuesday, June 23 provided the destination countries agree to receive them. Furthermore, they should commit to observing precautionary measures outlined by the countries they are visiting.
The Supreme Committee has likewise decided to start welcoming visitors and tourists from overseas beginning July 7, 2020.
The protocols were announced by the Dubai Media Office, an agency with the Dubai government tasked to implement communication plans and disseminate government-related news, on Sunday, June 21.
(Main photo: Dubai International Airport. Photo courtesy of Dubai Media Office.)
The Daily Bread 