UAE to suspend entry from three African countries

The UAE will ban travellers from three African countries from entering on national and foreign flights in its latest measures against Covid-19, according to state news agency WAM. 

Citing a statement by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), a ban on passengers from Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Namibia will take effect at 23:59 on Monday.

The GCAA said the restrictions would also include transit passengers, with the exception of transit flights travelling to the UAE and bound for those countries.

It said the restrictions were being introduced to limit the spread of coronavirus, adding that cargo flights between those countries and the UAE will continue, as usual.

The GCAA added that exemptions to its decision include: UAE nationals, their first-degree relatives, diplomatic missions, official delegations, business jets - after getting prior approvals. Golden and silver residency permit holders, along with essential workers, will also be exempt.

Exempt personnel will have to take a PCR test upon arrival at the airport and will be obliged to take part in a 10-day quarantine.

Meanwhile, Dubai's Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management said on Saturday it would allow passengers coming in from South Africa to enter Dubai on the condition that they have received two doses of a UAE-approved vaccine from June 23, WAM said. 

Travellers from India, who have valid residence visas and have received two doses of a UAE-approved vaccine, will also be allowed in the emirate.

Meanwhile, travellers from Nigeria must only present a negative PCR test taken 48 hours prior to departure and will also undergo another PCR test on arrival in Dubai, WAM added.