During the UAE Government media briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Taher Al Ameri, Official Spokesman of the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA), announced the updated travel protocol for unvaccinated UAE citizens, which will come into force on 19th April, 2022.
During the briefing, Dr. Al Ameri stressed that the new protocol is in line with the UAE’s policy aimed at achieving sustainable recovery and the return to normalcy, noting that it allows unvaccinated individuals to travel if they can present a negative PCR test result taken 48 hours before their departure, and complete the travel application form on the Al Hosn app to change their status to green.
“We urge the public to follow the required precautionary measures for all passengers before and after travel, and the current situation regarding the pandemic at their travel destinations, as well as contact the country’s diplomatic missions abroad in case of suspected infection, and use the Tawajudi service provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation,” he said.
Dr. Al Ameri highlighted the updates to the travel protocol for passengers arriving in the UAE, which will make unvaccinated individuals aged under 16 exempt from presenting a negative PCR test result upon arrival, provided that they adhere to all relevant preventive measures.
The UAE has recently seen a significant decline in COVID-19 infections, which is mainly due to the efforts of the health sector and relevant national authorities, he said, noting that the UAE has achieved many successes, due to the inter-agency cooperation and the community.
Since the start of the pandemic, all relevant authorities have been keen to launch proactive readiness plans, which include ensuring the readiness of response teams and the sustainability of the country’s infrastructure, as well as utilising national resources, strengthening strategic reserves, and establishing an accurate statistical system.
He noted that protecting these achievements depends on the public’s commitment, stressing the cooperation of community members is the best way to overcome the crisis and achieve recovery.
