Dubai Airports has since updated its website to clarify the impending changes, indicating that passport holders from a number of countries would be exempt from the ban.
According to a Covid-19 update on the Dubai Airports website, as of Sunday afternoon,
“Effective March 17, UAE authorities have temporarily suspended the issuance of all entry visas. This does not apply to those passengers holding diplomatic passports or those who have had visas issued prior to March 17.”
“It also does not apply to passengers who hold passports from the following countries. These passengers can continue to travel to and from the UAE although may be subject to additional screening.”
“Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy (from Rome only), Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Vatican, United Kingdom and The United States of America.”
The website notes that on arrival to Dubai International Airport (DXB), “all passengers will go through a non-intrusive thermal scanning process as they pass through customs.”
Additionally, according to the website, travellers arriving from Rome, Lebanon, Beijing, Syria and Thailand will also have to submit to a nasal swab on arrival.
For those travellers departing from Dubai for the United States, you can expect to undergo thermal screening prior to boarding.
As flight cancellations and visa policies continue to evolve on a daily basis, we suggest you check the Dubai Airports website, DOH’s dedicated coronavirus website, and local authorities before making any travel plans.
Source: Whatson – News
