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By gatewayz tourism August 4, 2021August 4, 2021 travel

UAE flights from restricted countries: 7 new exemptions explained

Authorities in the UAE made an announcement on Tuesday that brought relief and joy to expats stranded in six countries from where passenger entry was suspended.

Seven new categories of stranded residents can travel back to the UAE from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Nigeria and Uganda, as on August 5.

Here is all we know so far.

Are only vaccinated residents allowed to travel back to the UAE?

No. Residents fully vaccinated against Covid-19 are just one of the seven new categories added to the exempted list.

According to the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), stranded expats with valid residency visas must have received two doses of vaccine in the UAE. At least 14 days must have passed since receiving the second dose, and they must hold a certificate to this effect.

Are residents vaccinated in their home countries allowed to travel back?

It is not immediately clear whether this is the case. The NCEMA statement clearly mentions that the vaccine doses must have been taken in the UAE.

However, the dedicated web page of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) – from where stranded residents must get an approval to fly back – lists seven vaccines. This list comes under the ‘vaccine information’ tab.

Are unvaccinated residents allowed to travel back?

Residents working in key sectors are among the unvaccinated expats allowed to return. The following categories are allowed to return, irrespective of their vaccination status:

Medical personnel working in the UAE: Doctors, nurses and technicians

Teachers at universities, colleges, schools and institutes

Students in UAE

Employees of federal and local government authorities

Humanitarian cases, provided they have valid residency

Those undergoing treatment in the UAE

What is the procedure for stranded residents to return?

According to the NCEMA, exempted residents must get an approval from the ICA. This approval can be obtained from the ICA website.

They must hold a negative result from a PCR test taken no later than 48 hours from the time of departure. The test must be taken at an accredited lab and the results must have a QR code.

By gatewayz tourism August 2, 2021August 2, 2021 travel

What you need to know about Expo 2020

Experience some of the greatest culture the world has to offer in 173 days of celebration in Dubai.

What dates does the Dubai Expo run from and to?

The General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) has approved the Expo 2020 Dubai date to take place between 1st October 2021 and 31st March 2022.

Where is the Expo 2020 site?

It’s all happening in the Dubai South district, near Al Maktoum International Airport. There will be a lot of dedicated transport heading to the site 4.38 sq km site, and a metro station is being built that can handle 44,000 passengers per hour. With an influx of international visitors expected, Dubai International Airport is also working to upgrade its runways, while new hotels are springing up near the Dubai Expo 2020 site.

So what’s happening?

An expo is a world fair, bringing together hundreds of countries from across the globe – giving them the chance to share ideas and innovations with the rest of the world. The first-ever was held in The Crystal Palace in London’s Hyde Park in 1851, and since then, many of history’s most famous inventions have been exhibited, including the telephone in 1876, the ice cream cone in 1904 and even a humanoid robot in Nagoya in 2005. Back in November 2013, Dubai won the right to host Expo 2020 – becoming the first country ever in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia to do so. Fireworks exploded from the Burj Khalifa and the Burj Al Arab. A national holiday was declared for all educational institutions across the country. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, promised the city would “astonish the world”, come 2020. And now it’s happening.

What will the impact be on Dubai?

Since Expo 2020 was anounced in November 2013, it’s had a huge impact on the city – and that’s only going to grow as we get closer to the date. Officials say that it’s going to create a staggering 111,000 new jobs and the real estate market will rocket. That’s not to mention the huge urban District 2020 that will have a long-lasting legacy for centuries after the event is over. Even the city’s infrastructure is taking part, with Jebel Ali Lehbab Road renamed as Expo Road in honour of the event. Organizers say the event is set to attract millions of visitors, with 70 percent coming from outside the UAE, so we can expect to see a boom in tourism too.

What will be there to see?

The Expo 2020 site will feature pavilions dedicated to countries from around the world, with 75 entertainment events hosted every single day. There will be live performances from world-famous stars and comedy greats, cultural experiences from poetry slams to fashion shows and talks with the world’s top academics. There will be mindfulness sessions, extreme sports and everything in between. And there will be innovation – whether it’s make-your-own robot workshops or exhibitions showcasing the latest 3D printing technology. It’s even possible to go under the sea or walk through a simulated Arabian wadi at the interactive Terra Exhibition. Every day during the 173 days of Expo 2020, a different country will be featured in a cultural showcase that includes parades and other festivities. And the fun doesn’t stop at sunset, because there will be fireworks displays and entertainment into the early hours. Basically, it’ll be massive.