COVID-19: Tests from overseas labs accepted

IMPACT – HIGH

The United Arab Emirates recently made it possible for inbound air travelers to obtain pre-flight COVID-19 PCR tests outside the UAE.

Key Points:

• All air travelers, including residents, citizens, foreign nationals and those transiting through the airport, are still required to be tested for COVID-19 within 96 hours of traveling to the UAE and present a negative PCR test result report to the airline they are flying with before boarding. Where the UAE has listed designated labs in the country of departure, the test must be taken there, otherwise for countries where there is no designated lab, the test must be taken at any lab approved by the local public health authority.  Travelers may also be subject to a second COVID-19 PCR test and quarantine upon arrival at the discretion of the authorities.

Additional information: Previously, the number of labs air travelers could use for obtaining their COVID-19 tests was limited. The UAE expanded the number of labs to make the testing process more convenient, but also expanded the list of countries where tests must be taken at one of the identified clinics.

Analysis & Comments: Expanding the number of labs inbound travelers can use to obtain their pre-flight COVID-19 tests should make their testing processes more convenient. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

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