UAE Returning Residents Need COVID-19 Negative Certification

UAE residents that are waiting to return to the country are obligated to complete a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of take-off. Those who do not have a COVID negative certificate will not be permitted to board the aircraft.

This is one of the key guidelines announced by the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Authority and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship this Sunday (June 28) for residents with visas to return to the country starting July 1.

The test must be conducted in one of the 106 laboratories in over 17 countries worldwide. Additional countries will follow on the list as part of the second and third phase.

To view what countries and where the laboratories are located residents can visit smartservices.ica.gov.ae, laboratories are fully aware of the urgencies and will deliver results promptly authorities said.

For residents returning from countries without an accredited lab, COVID-19 tests will be conducted upon arrival back in the UAE. Residents will have to quarantine for 14 days either at home or alternative quarantine locations will be provided with a cost.

Expenses for quarantining and medical needs will have to be fulfilled by the individual. In some cases, employers of the returning residents have to incur the expenses.

All returning residents also are required to download a certified app so they can be monitored by government medical insitiutions while in quarantine.