Indians flying back to Dubai do not need to carry a Covid-19 vaccination certificate, Emirates airline said on Tuesday.
In an update on its website and on Twitter, the airline said a "vaccine certificate was no longer a requirement". However, all passengers must carry a negative result from a PCR test taken in the previous 48 hours.
Passenger flights from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Uganda and Nigeria were halted earlier this year because of the coronavirus situation.
Last week, restrictions were eased to allow the return of people who were stranded abroad when the new rules came into effect in April and May. Travellers must hold a residency visa and have been vaccinated in the Emirates, not abroad.
But the rules now appear to have been further eased to allow people to reach home.
Emirates said all travellers must still secure pre-approval on the website of the GDFRA immigration authority, which sends passengers a permit to show to airlines when booking.
But on Wednesday, the website showed that uploading proof of vaccination was now "optional". The authority did not comment on the apparent change.
In contrast, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, which oversees immigration for the other six emirates, requires residents to upload their vaccination certificate when they apply to fly home.
In a circular sent to travel agencies, Indian airline Vistara said: "Regardless of vaccination status, customers will be welcomed on Vistara flights to Dubai."
On Sunday, the UAE's National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority eased capacity restrictions on malls, restaurants and weddings. In addition, it said each of the emirates could now adjust the rules as they saw fit, while ensuring that federal rules, such as the wearing of masks in all public places, are enforced.
Last week, when flight restrictions on the six countries were eased, UAE residents not were allowed to return home unless they had been vaccinated when they were last at home in the Emirates.
This included people who received Covishield, the name given to Oxford-AstraZeneca’s vaccine when it is made on licence by the Serum Institute of India, and other vaccines given abroad.
Children under the age of 18 are also exempt from PCR test requirements.
Passengers 18 years and older must also have a negative result from a PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before their flight is scheduled to depart. Only PCR test results from certified labs that issue a QR code linked to the original report are accepted.
Passengers must take a PCR rapid test four hours before their flight. A rapid antigen test will not be accepted and another PCR test is needed on arrival in Dubai.
Emirates earlier reminded passengers that unvaccinated children, students and people working in education, healthcare or for the government are exempt from vaccination requirements.
Spain drain
CONVICTED
Lionel Messi Found guilty in 2016 of of using companies in Belize, Britain, Switzerland and Uruguay to avoid paying €4.1m in taxes on income earned from image rights. Sentenced to 21 months in jail and fined more than €2m. But prison sentence has since been replaced by another fine of €252,000.
Javier Mascherano Accepted one-year suspended sentence in January 2016 for tax fraud after found guilty of failing to pay €1.5m in taxes for 2011 and 2012. Unlike Messi he avoided trial by admitting to tax evasion.
Angel di Maria Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain star Angel di Maria was fined and given a 16-month prison sentence for tax fraud during his time at Real Madrid. But he is unlikely to go to prison as is normal in Spain for first offences for non-violent crimes carrying sentence of less than two years.
SUSPECTED
Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid's star striker, accused of evading €14.7m in taxes, appears in court on Monday. Portuguese star faces four charges of fraud through offshore companies.
Jose Mourinho Manchester United manager accused of evading €3.3m in tax in 2011 and 2012, during time in charge at Real Madrid. But Gestifute, which represents him, says he has already settled matter with Spanish tax authorities.
Samuel Eto'o In November 2016, Spanish prosecutors sought jail sentence of 10 years and fines totalling €18m for Cameroonian, accused of failing to pay €3.9m in taxes during time at Barcelona from 2004 to 2009.
Radamel Falcao Colombian striker Falcao suspected of failing to correctly declare €7.4m of income earned from image rights between 2012 and 2013 while at Atletico Madrid. He has since paid €8.2m to Spanish tax authorities, a sum that includes interest on the original amount.
Jorge Mendes Portuguese super-agent put under official investigation last month by Spanish court investigating alleged tax evasion by Falcao, a client of his. He defended himself, telling closed-door hearing he "never" advised players in tax matters.
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