The Gulf City has loosed its Covid-19 entry rules for unvaccinated children, making it easier for them to visit the country.
Previously, unvaccinated teens aged between 13 and 16 were required to take a PCR test or to present a proof of recovery from Covid-19. Under 12s were exempt from testing rules.
Now, the government has relaxed entry rules, dropping the minimum age for unvaccinated travelers who need to take a PCR test to 16 year-old.
Travellers to the UAE do not need to take a Covid PCR test before they travel if they are fully vaccinated or: they hold a Covid recovery certificate with a QR code dated within 30 days of departure; they are under 16 years of age for arrivals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai; they have severe disabilities.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said that those who are not included into these categories needs to show at check-in a negative Covid PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before departure. Moreover, the FCDO stressed that people without a jab may be required to take a second PCR test on arrival.
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the UAE has recorded more than 1 million cases, but registered only 2,341 deaths. Although the infection and death rate have decreased substantially, the government continued implementing all necessary precautions, even if that meant giving extra headache to holidaymakers.
According to The National News, Dubai International airport (DBX) is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023, and to attract around 7.8 million travelers each month by the final quarter. This is a nearly 25% increase on the 62.4 million passengers that Dubai Airports expects will travel through the airport in 2022.
