Coronavirus: All Etihad passengers leaving Abu Dhabi must present a negative test certificate from August 16

Passengers flying on Etihad must present a certificate to prove they are free of Covid-19 before they depart Abu Dhabi.

The new rule, which comes into force on August 16, applies to all destinations.

At present, travellers only need to be tested if they are departing for Switzerland, the UK or any country in the EU, according to guidelines on Etihad’s website.

“Currently, all guests travelling on Etihad Airways flights to and via Abu Dhabi are required to show a negative Covid-19 PCR test result from a government approved testing facility, and from 16 August, this will also apply to all guests departing Abu Dhabi,” a spokeswoman for the airline said.

The test must be carried out 96 hours prior to departure.

A negative Covid-19 PCR test result is required to obtain approval to board.

The National has contacted Abu Dhabi Airports to confirm whether the rule also applies to other airlines.

“Timings will differ for those flying from China or the USA. Guests departing Pakistan and India must use an Etihad-approved medical facility.

“Children under the age of 12 and people with mild to severe disabilities are currently exempt from this PCR test requirement.”

For inbound flights, passengers need to undergo pre-flight testing at any reputed clinic overseas and present their negative report to airline check-in desk staff.

Passengers should also quarantine themselves for 14 days once they are in the capital. This is regardless of the test result.

In latest developments, special approval for residents who are trying to return to the UAE will no longer be needed, the government said on Wednesday.

All UAE residents abroad, who have a valid visa, had to apply for approval to return to the country from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship – if they were planning to travel into any emirate except Dubai.

From today, this requirement has been removed and travel will be permitted into the country provided travellers carry out specific procedures.

These include updating their data, including a valid Emirates ID, passport number and citizenship, at uaeentry.ica.gov.ae.

This will allow residents to travel and no other approval is needed.

The new changes will facilitate the return of thousands of residents before the school year begins in the country.