A United Arab Emirates (UAE) ban on entry from India, South Africa, and Nigeria remains in place, the federal aviation authority said on Sunday after Dubai had announced it would ease entry restrictions from those countries.
Dubai, a business and tourism hub, is the most populous of the UAE’s seven emirates. Throughout the pandemic, the UAE’s seven emirates have set some of their own Covid-19 policies.
In a notice to airmen on Sunday, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) referenced a June 21 GCAA document stating entry from 13 countries, including Pakistan, was banned due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more: UAE airline ‘Etihad Airways’ extends ban on Pakistani travelers
Dubai had said on June 19 that an entry ban on those who in the past 14 days had visited India, Nigeria, and South Africa would ease from June 23.
Under the changes, entry would be permitted to UAE residents in India who were fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, anyone in South Africa who was fully vaccinated, and those in Nigeria who had tested negative for coronavirus in the past 48 hours.
A GCAA representative on Sunday said those traveling from India were still banned from entering the UAE but deferred further comment to the Dubai government. Dubai’s media office did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
The ban on entry from India, South Africa & Nigeria into the UAE will continue to remain in place – according to the country’s federal aviation authority. A few days back, Dubai had announced it would ease entry restrictions from these countries but has now reversed the decision.
— Sameer Hashmi (@sameerhashmi) June 27, 2021
Dubai’s Emirates airline said on Twitter that flights from India were available from July 7 but cautioned that could change.
“We’re waiting for the exact travel protocols and guidelines before we can resume.”
Indians represent one of the UAE’s largest residential communities and are the biggest source market for tourists.
Dubai reopened its borders to foreign visitors in July 2020, while Abu Dhabi requires arrivals from most countries to quarantine.
A national ban on entry from India began in April as India faced a surge in coronavirus infections.
Read more: Australia to jail Indian travelers for five years
Certain individuals, such as UAE citizens and diplomats, have been exempted from entry bans.
Reuters with additional input by GVS News Desk