le journal

You know how much we love transparency, so we’re not going to lie: traveling during a pandemic ain’t easy but it ain’t impossible. 

Dubai has opened its doors to travelers from all around the world again, and since we’ve been receiving a lot of questions about this recently, we thought to give you a little update on what it’s like for visitors in Dubai at the moment… 

TRAVELING TO/FROM DUBAI 

• Check if you need a visa. Depending on your nationality, you can get a visa on arrival, or apply for a prearranged visa from Dubai Immigration before you travel. 

• Ensure you check your country’s requirements before you leave (we can’t stress this enough as rules & regulations are changing frequently!)

• For travelers from most countries, (an extensive list can be found on emirates.com) including EU states, you must present a valid NEGATIVE COVID-19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 96 hours before departure 

• The certificate must be for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Other test certificates including antibody tests and home testing kits are not accepted in Dubai 

• If you are taking a test before you depart, you must bring an official, printed certificate in English or Arabic to check-in. N.B. SMS and digital certificates are not accepted! 

• You may need to take another COVID-19 PCR test on arrival. If you take the test at the airport, you must remain in your hotel or residence until you receive a NEGATIVE test result 

• If the test result is POSITIVE, you will be required to undergo isolation and follow the Dubai Health Authority guidelines 

• Passengers will need to do PCR tests only if it is mandated by the country they are traveling to 

• Dubai has many health facilities (including clinics, drive-through test centers, test stations in malls, etc.) offering PCR tests. You can expect to receive your test results within 24-48 hours and need to factor the additional time in before traveling

N.B.: Please check the requirements of the country you are traveling to. The travel regulations change frequently. You may need to take a COVID-19 PCR test before you depart or another particular type of COVID-19 test specific to your destination! 

---

THE SITUATION IN DUBAI 

• You must wear a mask on board the airplane, and in every public place in Dubai or face a fine of AED 3,000 (EUR 670). This includes taxis (currently only allowing 2 passengers, unless it’s a minivan hailed via airport ground staff or the Careem app, and on Dubai Metro) 

• Two-meter social distancing is applied in all public places, including theme parks, restaurants, malls, etc. 

• Sanitizer dispensers can be found everywhere and everyone is expected to use them

• Restaurants have spaced out tables and placed protective shields in-between to guarantee a high level of safety 

• Temperature guns, and oftentimes also thermal body scanner checks, are used at all entrances (hotels, office buildings, malls) 

• Hotels follow mandated procedures including regular sterilization procedures 

• Luggage is often spray-sanitized on entry and some hotels operate walk-through sanitizer tunnels 

• Many hotels opt for sealed towels at the pool/beach facilities and lifeguards as well as security personnel police social distancing to avoid overcrowding 

• Rooms are frequently cleaned and sanitized

---

ADVICE 

We are extremely blessed to experience such extensive health and safety measures in Dubai. 

If you… 

• check your country’s regulations before you leave 

• follow the rules on board and when you’re in town

• wear your mask (the right way!!!!!)

• wash your hands/use sanitizer often

• observe social distancing

…you will certainly enjoy a jolly good time in one of the few destinations welcoming tourists from (almost) all around the world. 

---

And let’s face it, who doesn’t crave a beach-side getaway after the year we’ve had?! 

We can’t wait to welcome you again soon! 🙂

• 

• 

•