Dubai, renowned for its luxury resorts, designer shopping malls, pristine beaches, and futuristic architecture, is preparing to welcome tourists back on 7 July with conditions.
International visitors can return to Dubai on 7 July, while those with residency visas are allowed to enter from 22 June, giving fresh hopes that the tourism-dependent emirate can quickly bounce back from the coronavirus shutdown. However, it is crucial for anyone entering Dubai to have international health insurance covering COVID-19 and present health documentation to certify that they have recently tested negative for the coronavirus, or undergo tests at the airport upon arrival. Consequently, citizens and residents are permitted to travel overseas starting from 23 June.
“The new announcement will allow thousands of people affected by the worldwide restrictions in passenger air traffic since the start of the pandemic to resume their travel plans,” Dubai’s government media office said in a statement.
To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Emirates – Dubai’s state-owned airline – has implemented new health and safety protocols ahead of the borders reopening. These include complimentary hygiene kits for passengers containing masks, gloves, hand sanitiser, and antibacterial wipes. Moreover, as early as April, the airline became the first airline globally to conduct pre-flight rapid COVID-19 testing for passengers, along with implementing “enhanced disinfection” measures between flights.
Dubai imposed some of the world’s strictest lockdown restrictions when the coronavirus outbreak impacted the Gulf region, immediately cancelling tourist visas and passenger flights on 25 March. However, in recent weeks, as restrictions have gradually eased, shopping malls have reopened, numerous flights have resumed, and beaches are welcoming sunbathers again, albeit with strict social-distancing measures.
“Beach-goers are required to maintain a distance of two metres between one another, along with their sun-beds. Moreover, there should be a gap of four metres between two groups of people and their sun-beds on the beach,” Dubai’s Department of Tourism has stated.
For more information on entry requirements for international visitors to Dubai, see here.
