Home Covid-19 tests and bag disinfection: New pre-airport services launched for Dubai travellers

With travel set to reopen across the UAE imminently, many people will be thinking about taking a flight in the near future.

Passengers set to travel in or out of Dubai International Airport can expect several changes to their journey as social-distancing measures have been introduced throughout the terminals.

Marhaba plans to help travellers navigate the measures by offering new services that include baggage disinfection and socially distanced meet and greets.

The airport hospitality brand, which is part of dnata, now allows travellers that pre-book its home check-in and bag drop services to have their luggage disinfected.

All luggage collected by Marhaba's baggage partner, Dubz, will be done so in a contactless manner. Bags will then be treated with disinfectant to remove any germs and provides protection from microbes for up to 72 hours.

Marhaba's home check-in process also allows people to complete any preflight procedures from their own house or hotel room.

Socially distanced agents will complete all paperwork for check-in including printing boarding passes, weighing and tagging baggage, and delivering it to the airport for disinfection and loading.

Airport meet and greets

These services are designed to cutting down waiting times at the airport. Travellers who book airport fast-track or meet and greet services will be welcomed at the airport by staff wearing face masks who will speed them through immigration.

Having recently restarted its chauffeur services in Dubai, Marhaba says that all chauffeur-driven cars undergo strict disinfecting procedures after each trip. The number of passengers in each vehicle is limited to two in standard cars, or three in SUVs. However, large families can still travel together, as per current UAE regulations.

Bookings for the home check-in, baggage disinfection, chauffeur, and meet and greet services start from Dh237.

Pre-flight Covid-19 tests

Dubz has also introduced a home Covid-19 test service for travellers.

In partnership with Mediclinic, the company can arrange for in-home Covid-19 testing ahead of flights.

After booking the service, a polymerase chain reaction swab test will be carried out by a medical professional at customers' homes. These tests are the most accurate type for detecting Covid-19 and are suitable for all travellers, including children.

Once the test has been taken, results are digitally delivered within 24 hours.

If tests are negative, Dubz will send check-in agents to process travellers for their flight and collect luggage for disinfection. Positive results will be communicated to the Dubai Health Authority.

Prices for the home-testing service are controlled by Mediclinic to follow regulatory standards, but anyone booking the service with Dubz will get a 22 per cent discount.

Several destinations, including Sri Lanka and the Seychelles, will require recent Covid-19 negative test results from travellers before allowing entry into the country.