Planning a trip from India to Middle East? COVID rules and guidelines to know

With India’s COVID-19 situation being in the spotlight on the international front, the Gulf region, among other areas, seems to be out of bounds for Indians. However, tighter restrictions only mean increased safety measures while travelling. 

If you relate to ‘Baghdad se leke Dilli via Agra’ , the following rules should be kept in mind:

1. UAE

The UAE imposed travel restrictions on Indian travellers on
April 25 and has extended the restrictions till June 14. Travellers with UAE
Golden Visa passports and diplomatic staffers are allowed to enter the country
but will have to comply with the COVID-19 protocols, RT-PCR tests at the
airport, and on the fourth and eighth day and a mandatory 10-day quarantine.
Emirates is operating flights from UAE to India.

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2. Saudi Arabia

Saudi
Arabia lifted travel ban on international travellers but 13 countries including
India remain suspended. Travellers who have transited through India in the past
14 days are also not allowed entry. Only Saudi nationals and their staff,
diplomats, and health practitioners are allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia from
India. These travellers will have to provide a negative RT-PCR test and also
quarantine on arrival for 14 days.

3. Kuwait

Kuwait had suspended travel from India on April 24. Passengers
who have transited through India have to wait for 14 days before entering
Kuwait. This rule does not apply to Kuwaiti nationals and fully vaccinated
travellers who have got vaccinated two weeks before arrival.

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4. Oman

Oman had announced the extension of travel ban on passengers
from India. The ban also applies to passengers who travelled to India 14 days prior
to arriving in Oman. The restrictions however do not apply to Omani nationals,
diplomats, and their medical and domestic staff. 

5. Qatar

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Qatar is the only Gulf country that has not suspended flights
from India. However, they have made RT-PCR test mandatory for travellers from
India and transit through India. Besides, passengers arriving from India must
also undergo mandatory 10-days quarantine in a dedicated quarantine facility.