The UAE will allow unvaccinated Emiratis to travel overseas from Tuesday, April 19
Citizens must present a negative result from a PCR test taken within 48 hours of travel under the updated Covid-19 safety measures announced on Wednesday.
They must also complete travel forms in Al Hosn app to turn their application status green.
"We highlight the importance of contacting the country’s diplomatic missions in other countries in case of a suspected infection, as well as of using the Tawajudi service, to ensure the safety of Emirati citizens during their travels under all emergency circumstances," a National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority spokesman said.
Authorities had banned unvaccinated citizens from travelling from January 10 as part of efforts to limit the spread of the virus.
This came at a time when the emergence of the Omicron variant had prompted a surge in infection rates around the globe.
The easing of restrictions was confirmed in the government's regular coronavirus media briefing. New protocols for people arriving in the Emirates from abroad were also announced.
Travellers under the age of 16 who are not vaccinated will not be required to take a PCR test on arrival.
They were urged to abide by the precautionary measures in place in the country.
The directives are in line with the UAE's cautious recovery from the pandemic.
A number of safety measures have been eased in recent weeks, including making the wearing of masks outdoors optional and lifting border controls for entry to Abu Dhabi from other emirates.
Daily case numbers have declined significantly in recent weeks after exceeding 3,000 as recently as January.
On Wednesday, the UAE reported 237 new Covid-19 cases after a further 298,981 tests were carried out.
The new cases bring the tally of infections to 894,523.
No deaths have been reported since March 7, with the toll standing at 2,302.
Another 486 people beat the virus, taking the tally of recoveries to 875,602.
UAE a global leader in vaccination drive
The briefing heard the UAE is leading the world in terms of the percentage of its population who are fully vaccinated, in countries of at least 1 million people.
It was also ranked first globally for the rate of people to have received at least one dose, in statistics released by Our World in Data.
The Emirates placed second for the number of PCR tests conducted for every 1,000 people.
Mass testing of the public and a comprehensive inoculation campaign have been central to the UAE's Covid-19 strategy.
More than 151 million PCR tests have been conducted so far.
About 24.6 million doses of Covid-19 have been administered to the public since December 2020.
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Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
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