Safety measures at airports for returning UAE residents
The UAE Government has implemented strict preventive measures to protect its citizens and residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. These safety guidelines also include travel restrictions in the UAE to curb the spread of the virus. While the authorities have discouraged people from travelling during this time, they have also introduced preventive measures at all major airports in the UAE so residents who are abroad can make a safe return to their homes and lives in the country. Here’s a closer look at some of the standard operating procedures or SOPs at airports to contain COVID-19 spread as residents come home.
SOPs at UAE Airports to Contain COVID-19 spread
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has urged citizens and residents not to travel abroad and even imposed some travel restrictions. Initially, the UAE travel ban for coronavirus applied to high-risk countries, such as the People’s Republic of China, Iran and Italy.
In March 2020, MoHAP issued a statement that residents who travel abroad may have to undergo preventive quarantines and other mandatory medical procedures upon their return.
More recently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFAIC) and International Co-operation and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) announced that residents who have been stuck abroad due to such travel restrictions to curb coronavirus can return to their homes in the UAE from June 1, 2020.
Measures for the safe return to the UAE include medical checks at the airport and a two-week home quarantine. These SOPs at airports to contain Covid-19 spread will be implemented at the discretion of the related authorities.
Thermal Scanning
Basic checks at the airports include the assessment of a passenger’s body temperature using thermal scanners. Travellers will have to walk past scanners that detect high body temperatures to check for fever, one of the main symptoms associated with COVID-19.
Personnel may also place a handheld temperature scanner on a passenger’s forehead to detect raised body temperatures as part of the SOPs at airports to contain COVID-19 spread. Both types of scanners work in a similar manner and the checks take a few seconds. This allows for efficient detection of the virus and at the same time, passengers need not stand in long queues at the airport.
According to the Dubai Health Authority, all passengers will undergo thermal scanning at the Dubai International Airport. The mission is to ensure ‘everyone entering Dubai’ is virus-free.
Nasal Swabs
Passengers found with high temperatures may also need to take a nasal swab test. Please note that people undergoing the swab test may also be held back until the lab results are released.
If a resident tests positive, s/he will be transferred to a designated health facility for treatment and quarantine.
The ministry has also distributed medical guides to airports, seaports, land routes as well as all public and private health facilities as part of the SOPs at airports to contain COVID-19 spread. This is in addition to the rapid COVID-19 testing and control procedures at the border crossings. The UAE Authorities have conducted more than 30,000 tests since the outbreak of the virus.
At the Dubai International Airport, seven gates have been designated to handle incoming flights and screen passengers returning to the emirate, especially from high-risk destinations.
PCR Tests
Passengers at the Abu Dhabi International Airport have to take the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) coronavirus test and self-isolate for 14 days. PCR tests are designed to detect the genetic material within the virus.
This is a part of new preventative measures announced by Abu Dhabi Airports for passengers travelling through the emirate on special flights operated by Etihad Airways and other partner carriers until May 31.
Passengers will also pass through the latest SterixGates to detect the virus. Rapid COVID-19 testing for antibodies is also being conducted by qualified health professionals at Terminal 1 of the Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Students and staff at educational facilities who have recently travelled abroad will undergo medical tests. If competent authorities deem it necessary, they may also be quarantined for 14 days.
This concludes our summary of SOPs at airports to contain COVID-19 spread in the UAE. You can also check out our post on coronavirus travel-related FAQs. Please make sure you are aware of the things not to carry while travelling to Dubai.
Along with international travel, we also have put together some useful tips on how to travel safely using local transport in Dubai.
Stay tuned to MyBayut for more corona-virus related developments in the UAE.
