Travelling from UAE this summer: which countries require quarantine?


Georgia Tolley
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More than a dozen travel corridors have now opened up for passengers from the UAE, including Bahrain, Serbia, Greece, Italy and the Seychelles.

The agreements allow for vaccinated passengers to travel between both destinations without the need to quarantine on arrival.

But you may be wondering what to do if you are not yet inoculated, or you want to travel to a country that requires tourists to quarantine?

And how about when you come back to the UAE from your holiday?

To get a sense of how these rules differ, The National considered the most popular destinations for travellers from the UAE.

These rules are subject to sudden change, so do check the latest rules on your airline's website or on the IATA travel regulations site before you travel.

Europe & Russia

Cafes and restaurants in France have reopened with limited capacity and can serve food and drink until 11pm. Adam Batterbee
Cafes and restaurants in France have reopened with limited capacity and can serve food and drink until 11pm. Adam Batterbee

• Cyprus – there is no need for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers from the UAE to quarantine.

• France – the UAE is classed as an orange country by France, which means non‑vaccinated passengers must have a compelling reason for travelling to France, and must self‑isolate for 7 days. It is worth noting that Sinopharm is not an approved vaccine in France. Vaccinated travellers can holiday as normal.

• Greece – there is no need for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers from the UAE to quarantine.

• Italy – passengers flying from Dubai to Rome, Milan and Venice on special flights are exempted from any quarantine requirement.

• Spain – unvaccinated passengers from the UAE may not enter the country, unless they are aged 17 and under.

• United Kingdom - all travellers from the UAE are required to quarantine at a government-approved hotel for 11 days, and must have two negative Covid-19 tests before being allowed to leave, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated against Covid-19 or not.

• Russia – there are currently no quarantine requirements for travel to Russia.

Middle East

Egypt is welcoming vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers, quarantine-free.
Egypt is welcoming vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers, quarantine-free.

• Bahrain – non vaccinated passengers are required to quarantine for 10 days at a government approved hotel or their residence. Proof of prepaid hotel reservation in their name for a designated quarantine facility must be provided before boarding a flight to the country. Sinopharm is an approved vaccine in Bahrain.

• Egypt – there is no need for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers from the UAE to quarantine.

• Jordan – there is no need for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers from the UAE to quarantine.

• Lebanon – unvaccinated passengers should home quarantine for 72 hours. This will be monitored by the Lebanese authorities through an electronic application. Passengers are required to download and activate the "covidlebtrack" application and present it to the Ministry of Public Health representatives at the airport. Sinopharm is an approved vaccine in Lebanon.

• Saudi Arabia - all non‑vaccinated international travellers must complete their institutional quarantine at their own expense starting from the time of arrival for seven days. It is worth noting Sinopharm is not an approved vaccine in Saudi Arabia.

• Turkey – there is no need for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers from the UAE to quarantine.

Asia

Phuket is a popular holiday destination for travellers from the Middle East. Unsplash
Phuket is a popular holiday destination for travellers from the Middle East. Unsplash

• Maldives – there is no need for vaccinated or unvaccinated holidaymakers from the UAE to quarantine. If you are travelling there for a different purpose, you should check with the authorities.

• Pakistan – all passengers arriving in Pakistan are required to undergo a 10‑day home quarantine following strict Trace, Test & Quarantine (TTQ) protocols.

• Phuket (from July 2) – non‑vaccinated passengers will need to stay at special quarantine hotel for 14 days. The hotel need to be booked before arrival. Sinopharm is an approved vaccine in Phuket.

• Philippines – most flights from the UAE are currently suspended until June 15. Unvaccinated passengers are required to quarantine for 14 days, with 10 in a government-managed hotel. Vaccinated passengers must show proof before only needing to quarantine for 7 days.

• Seychelles – there is no need for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers from the UAE to quarantine.

Quarantine on arrival in the UAE

At the time of writing, most passengers from South Africa, Nigeria, Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were not allowed to enter the UAE.

There is no need for any other travellers to quarantine when they arrive in Dubai, however there are different testing requirements depending on where you have been in the last 14 days.

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.

At present, passengers arriving from countries not on Abu Dhabi's green list are required to quarantine, and must wear a medically-approved wristband for the duration.

Vaccinated passengers must quarantine for 5 days. Non-vaccinated passengers must quarantine for 10 days.

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.

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6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres

7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m

7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m

8.15pm: UAE Oaks | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m

8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m

9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m

The Bio

Ram Buxani earned a salary of 125 rupees per month in 1959

Indian currency was then legal tender in the Trucial States.

He received the wages plus food, accommodation, a haircut and cinema ticket twice a month and actuals for shaving and laundry expenses

Buxani followed in his father’s footsteps when he applied for a job overseas

His father Jivat Ram worked in general merchandize store in Gibraltar and the Canary Islands in the early 1930s

Buxani grew the UAE business over several sectors from retail to financial services but is attached to the original textile business

He talks in detail about natural fibres, the texture of cloth, mirrorwork and embroidery 

Buxani lives by a simple philosophy – do good to all

Messi at the Copa America

2007 – lost 3-0 to Brazil in the final

2011 – lost to Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-finals

2015 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final

2016 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

The biog

Place of birth: Kalba

Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren

Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken

Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah

Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”

Specs

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Price: From Dh439,000

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THE LIGHT

Director: Tom Tykwer

Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger

Rating: 3/5

Famous left-handers

- Marie Curie

- Jimi Hendrix

- Leonardo Di Vinci

- David Bowie

- Paul McCartney

- Albert Einstein

- Jack the Ripper

- Barack Obama

- Helen Keller

- Joan of Arc

BORDERLANDS

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis

Director: Eli Roth

Rating: 0/5

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