How to travel safely in Dubai – Getting the most of your trip to Dubai
With Covid-19 having thrown a spanner in the works for travel and tourism in general, many globetrotters have been left quite exasperated with respective travel plans being placed in cold storage so to speak. With travel restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the pandemic, many travellers are left with little to do these days. However, regions such as the UAE and Dubai for that matter have begun opening their borders to tourism and for a closer perspective on how to get here, do continue reading on.
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Current status
Commencing the 1st of August, 2020, Dubai reopened to foreign tourists with local authorities demanding that such visitors would need to have a negative Covid test followed by adequate health insurance before being allowed in. Further, any person normally permitted to enter Dubai would be granted entry and this applies in case of holidays as well.
Restrictions in greater detail
As a whole, the United Arab Emirates provides quarantine-free travel for those visitors from Seychelles, Greece, Serbia, and Bahrain who have received both doses of the vaccine. For other visitors excluding Indian nationals, those arriving and are over the age of 12 must possess with them medical insurance and a negative PCR test obtained through a competent authority or body within the last 72 hours. These certificates must be shown at check-in and one must have completed a health declaration form before boarding. Although, passengers travelling by air from countries such as Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia can opt to take the test upon arrival in Dubai. However, nationals from over 50 countries including those from Morocco, Argentina, and Ghana will have to undergo an additional test after having reached Dubai. In case of any visitor displaying symptoms of the virus after having arrived in Dubai, a quarantine period of 14 days would have to be adhered to at the personal cost of each visitor with the only difference being that if one was to arrive via Emirates Airlines, then the aforementioned cost would be included in the airfare itself. Tourists from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan Nigeria, and South Africa will not be allowed to enter the region until further notice.
Covid situation
Based on existing data, the UAE has reported some 1,642 deaths as a result of the pandemic but on a much more positive note, the region has been acknowledged as having the 6th most efficient vaccination roll-out programme in the world which in turn, would inspire confidence amongst those thinking of heading over to Dubai in the not too distant future.
General protocol
Given that the threat of the pandemic still subsists, it is mandatory for all persons to wear masks and importantly, maintain social distancing of a minimum of 2 meters between two persons. However, the mask-wearing rule has been relaxed in scenarios where you are alone in public, exercising, eating & drinking, or travelling in a car. Accommodation service providers including hotels in Dubai Deira such as Avani Deira Dubai Hotel are permitted to operate at full capacity. Further, entertainment and leisure activities can be held at all shopping malls, cafes, and restaurants too.
What can travellers expect?
Dubai is home to some of the finest hotels and resorts coupled with many an opportunity to explore and take pleasure in a unique culture. Days can be spent shopping to your heart’s content before boarding the Dubai Ferry to voyage through the breathtaking Dubai Creek. Also, the brilliance of the Emirate culture can be learnt of at the Heritage Village which is found near the Creek. For a better vantage point from where the entirety of this modern and marvelous city can be delighted, do consider heading over to the Burj Khalifa which is the tallest building in the world that affords unobstructed views of the metropolis.
