Read more: UAE residents rush to book tickets from India to Dubai as flights resume
As countries begin to allow their citizens to return to international travel, many expats living in the UAE are hoping to take long-awaited trips to visit family and friends.
At the same time, thousands of tourists are looking to visit the UAE for summer holidays.
While some countries and territories require visitors to quarantine on arrival, Dubai does not, and as of July 1, Abu Dhabi will no longer require travellers to do so either.
There are, however, protocols that need to be followed.
The National explains them here.
UAE travel rules
At the time of writing, most passengers from South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia, Uganda, Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are not allowed to enter the UAE.
All visitors arriving in the UAE need to download Al Hosn, the Emirates' track-and-trace app, which can also be used to prove vaccination status and last Covid-19 test details.
UAE residents travelling into Abu Dhabi must update their details on uaeentry.ica.gov.ae prior to travelling.
Residents travelling into Dubai airport must also update the form, unless they hold a Dubai visa, in which case it is not necessary.
Quarantine rules for Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi will remove all Covid-19 quarantine restrictions for most international travellers on July 1. However, the emirate will have different testing protocols for visitors from low-risk and high-risk countries.
So, there are three major factors travellers need to consider before flying to the Emirate.
1. Are you travelling before or after July 1?
2. Are you vaccinated or not?
3. Are you a tourist or a resident?
Travelling to Abu Dhabi before July 1
At present, passengers arriving from countries not on Abu Dhabi's green list are required to quarantine, and must wear an approved wristband for the duration.
Among residents, vaccinated passengers must quarantine for five days. Non-vaccinated passengers must quarantine for 10 days.
Tourists arriving from countries not on the green list must quarantine for 10 days regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or not.
If you have arrived from a country that the UAE authorities deem is high-risk, then you will be required to quarantine at a government facility.
Travelling to Abu Dhabi after July 1
Passengers flying to Abu Dhabi after July 1 will not need to quarantine.
The emirate will have different testing protocols for visitors from low-risk and high-risk countries.
Those coming from countries with higher infection rates will have to take two tests – one before they travel and another upon arrival.
Quarantine rules for Dubai
Travellers from South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia, Uganda, Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are not currently allowed to fly in to Dubai, although in some cases, it is possible to fly out to these locations.
From June 23, vaccinated passengers from South Africa will be allowed to fly to Dubai, and all travellers from Nigeria, regardless of vaccine status, will be allowed.
Passengers will also be allowed to fly from India to Dubai, but only if they have had both doses of a UAE-approved coronavirus vaccine and hold a valid residence visa.
In addition, following arrival, passengers from India should undertake "institutional quarantine" until they receive their PCR test result, which is expected within 24 hours.
Other than travellers from India, there is no need for any other visitors to Dubai to quarantine.
Instead, there are different testing requirements depending on where you have been in the last 14 days.
Passengers from countries deemed a higher risk may need to take a PCR test on arrival in Dubai.
If you take a test at the airport, you must remain in your hotel or residence until you receive the result.
If the test result is positive, you will be required to undertake isolation and follow the Dubai Health Authority guidelines.
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Brief scores:
Manchester City 2
Gundogan 27', De Bruyne 85'
Crystal Palace 3
Schlupp 33', Townsend 35', Milivojevic 51' (pen)
Man of the Match: Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace)
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
Read more about the coronavirus
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Specs
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Power: 905hp
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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
UNSC Elections 2022-23
Seats open:
- Two for Africa Group
- One for Asia-Pacific Group (traditionally Arab state or Tunisia)
- One for Latin America and Caribbean Group
- One for Eastern Europe Group
Countries so far running:
MATCH INFO
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
