UAE extends PCR test validity to 96 hours for returning residents
Passengers arriving in UAE must have had their COVID-19 tests taken up to 96 hours before landing in the country, authorities said on Thursday.
The period has been extended by 24 hours from the 72-hour limit announced in a media briefing on Wednesday.
In a tweet at mid-day on Thursday, the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced that the time between taking the PCR test for COVID-19 and arriving at one of the UAE airports should not exceed 96 hours, and the test results must be negative.
All UAE residents returning from outside the country will be required to submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test before flying. All UAE airports will follow this requirement from Friday, July 24, a top official said during the Wednesday media briefing.
Airports also need to ensure that residents have signed a Health Declaration Form.
In a media briefing yesterday on the latest COVID-19 developments, the authorities also announced that airlines must ensure that all returning residents have negative PCR results issued by accredited centres.
