Combating Covid-19: 42 Emiratis stranded in UK flown back home for free

Dubai - The passengers will observe a compulsory 14-day home quarantine.

An Emirates flight on Monday, April 6, brought back to Dubai the first batch of UAE citizens stranded abroad due to the coronavirus crisis. The 42 passengers - who were in the United Kingdom for medical and educational purposes - boarded the flight from London's Heathrow Airport.
Emirates Airline confirmed its "full readiness" to fly foreign nationals in the UAE who wish to return to their countries, provided they receive an approval from their governments. The airline said it was closely working with the authorities concerned in this regard.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group, had earlier announced that the airline would operate flights to bring back all UAE citizens stranded abroad free of cost.
Adel Al Rida, Executive Director of Operations at Emirates, said the airline is proud to bring back UAE nationals stranded abroad due to the challenges affecting the international aviation industry. He said operating these flights reflects the organisation's commitment to serving the nation and its citizens.
Al Rida said the carrier has taken all precautionary and preventive measures and is coordinating closely with the Dubai Health Authority and other authorities concerned to run the required medical tests for the arriving passengers. He said the passengers will observe a compulsory 14-day home quarantine and follow other guidelines recommended by the Ministry of Health and Prevention, Dubai Health Authority, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
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