Combating coronavirus: UAE specifies conditions for travelling outside country

Dubai - Those wishing to travel will need to register and apply for approval via the website of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.

Outbound travel from the UAE is not applicable for all citizens and residents, a top official has said. Travel is allowed for particular categories and based on the classification of the destination country.
The UAE has specified three categories of destinations: Low-risk (everyone can travel); medium risk (travel for specific purposes); and high-risk countries (no travel).
Those wishing to travel will need to register and apply for approval via the website of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), Dr Seif Al Dhaheri, spokesperson from the National Authority for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management, said.
The service available on http://smartservices.ica.gov.ae will "guide and inform the applicant" about the Covid-19 situation at the destination and the curbs in place there.
"UAE citizens and residents will be allowed to travel to certain countries as per the Covid-19 situation. Travellers will have to follow certain protocols and abide by precautionary measures," he said.
The official stressed that many countries have not fully opened their airports. "We advise people who want to travel to check the destination they plan to travel to, and keep themselves updated about the situation there."
Travellers will need to fill in health responsibility forms, pledging to quarantine upon return, and not to travel to destinations other than those submitted in the form. They are also required to download the Al Hosn application. The app helps locate and identify people who either have Covid-19 or have been in contact with a patient.
"It is important to know that upon returning from a trip abroad, a PCR test must be performed and travellers must adhere to quarantine for 14 days, which could be seven days if returning from low-risk countries or for professionals working in vital sectors," Dr Al Dhaheri said.
Travelling to medium-risk countries
For countries categorised as 'medium-risk', the approval will be on a need basis. Members of the same family can travel to such countries for urgent medical treatment. Travel to visit first-degree relatives is also permitted.
The UAE had earlier specified three categories of destinations for UAE citizens and residents: Low-risk where everyone can travel; medium risk (travel for specific purposes); and high-risk countries (no travel).
reporters@khaleejtimes.com