Now, fly to UAE with PCR results from any approved labs in your country

Passengers arriving from the countries where there are no UAE-approved laboratories available can conduct their polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Covid-19 test at any government-accredited laboratory in their country of departure, major UAE carriers and other airlines operating in the UAE have announced.

Earlier, the UAE had announced all returning residents, visit visa holders and tourists must carry a PCR-negative test result from a Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship (ICA) approved laboratory in partnership with the Pure Health network of laboratories.

According to the airlines, in case a UAE-approved laboratory is not in the country of departure, residents and tourists can procure a test result from any government accredited laboratory in their home country. Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways and Air India Express are among the airlines that announced a reform in the earlier ruling.

Use the result from an accredited lab

Emirates Airlines announced on its website: "All passengers arriving in Dubai from any destination, including passengers connecting in Dubai, must have a negative Covid-19 test certificate to be accepted on the flight. The test must be taken a maximum of 96 hours before departure. This excludes children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability."

It added: "If the UAE Government has specified a designated laboratory in your country of origin, then you must get your certificate from that lab. If it is not specified, please use an accredited lab in your country of departure,"

However, in the case of Emirates, passengers may need to take another Covid-19 PCR test on arrival. "If you take a test at the airport, you must remain in your hotel or residence until you receive the test result. If the test result is positive, you will be required to undergo isolation and follow the Dubai Health Authority guidelines," said the Dubai-based airline.

Carry a copy of your test results

Similarly, in the case of Etihad Airways, it is mandatory to have a Covid-19 PCR test before you fly with the airline from any airport outside Abu Dhabi. The airline updated on its website: "Your test must be carried out at an approved medical facility 96 hours before your arrival time in Abu Dhabi. If you start your journey with another airline and are connecting to an Etihad Airways flight, we will accept a Covid-19 PCR test from a government-approved medical facility in your first point of departure."

It said: "You will only be permitted to fly if you have a negative Covid-19 PCR test result issued by an approved clinic within 96 hours of arriving or departing Abu Dhabi. You must arrange your test with a Pure Health medical facility if there are approved clinics in your country of departure - test results from other clinics will not be accepted." However, it added that in the case there are no Pure Health approved facility in the country of departure, passengers can access a list of available labs mentioned on the Etihad website.

As per the updated guidelines, passengers flying from Pakistan must carry out the PCR test at a Chughtai or Islamabad Diagnostic Centre (IDC) lab. "Test results issued by any other clinics will not be accepted," the airline said, adding that passengers should carry a copy of their test results with them during their travel.

Tests at ICMR-approved labs OK: Air India

Indian flag carrier Air India Express has said passengers travelling from India can carry a test result from any Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) approved medical testing centre. The airline said on its India to UAE travel guidelines blog: "For all passengers above 12 years old, a valid negative Covid-19 PCR test report in the printed form, from a government-approved laboratory in India (ICMR) or a Certified designated laboratory which is available on screening.purehealth.ae website, no older than 96 hours is required. Children below the age of 12 years old are exempted from Covid-19 PCR test."

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com 

Dhanusha Gokulan

Originally from India, Dhanusha Gokulan has been working as a journalist for over ten years. For Khaleej Times, she covers NRI affairs, civil aviation, and immigration issues among other things. She completed her BA in Journalism, Economics and English Literature from Mangalore University in 2008 and is currently pursuing her MA in Leadership and Innovation in Contemporary Media at the American University in Dubai. In her spare time, she dabbles with some singing/songwriting, loves food, and is mom to an over-enthusiastic Labrador retriever. Tweet at her @shootsprintrite.