Dubai waives off rapid COVID-19 test at Indian airports for travellers before departure

Indians travelling to Dubai would no longer need to undergo a rapid RT-PCR test for COVID-19 at the airport before departure, according to the latest advisory issued on Tuesday. 

But travellers from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan would still have to show a negative COVID-19 report from a test conducted within 48 hours before the scheduled departure, the updated guidelines by the Dubai Airpot state, according to an ANI report. 

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Passengers would also be required to undergo an RT-PCR test on arrival in Dubai and self-quarantine until a negative test report is issued. If the person tests positive, they must follow guidelines issued by the relevant health authority in Dubai.

“For transit passengers, the rules/conditions governing entry at the final destination of the transit passenger shall be applicable,” the advisory by Dubai airport says.

Meanwhile, India’s downward trend in daily COVID-19 cases continued on Tuesday, logging 13,405 fresh infections in the last 24 hours. The country reported 16,051 new COVID cases on Monday, 2,646 or 16% more than today.

Notably, the largest share of traffic to Dubai came from India, with 4.2 million travellers, followed by Pakistan, with 1.8 million travellers last year, Dubai airport said Tuesday, reported Associated Press.

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Data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) confirmed a total of 76,12,30,580 tests have been conducted up to Monday, February 21. 10,84,287 of them were conducted on Friday. 

Countries around the world have been easing COVID restrictions. For instance, starting 1 March, Israel will allow unvaccinated tourists of all ages to enter the country, reported Haaretz. Australia has also reopened its international borders after nearly two years. Switzerland, Singapore, and England are among the regions to have most recently lifted almost all Covid-19 restrictions.