Travelling to UAE by road? PCR test result not necessary from Thursday

Muscat: If you are visiting the United Arab Emirates and are planning to enter by a land checkpoint, there will be no need to provide a negative PCR test report from Thursday before entry, provided that you can show a fully vaccinated certificate with a QR code or a certificate stating that you have recovered from Covid-19.

A statement issued online by the National for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, (NCEMA), said: “With regard to those coming to the UAE, it is necessary to ensure that a certified Covid-19 vaccination certificate containing a QR code is presented. Their entry into the country does not require any prior checks, with the possibility of conducting a PCR examination upon arrival for the purposes of confirming infections.”

Those who are unable to provide the same, or are not vaccinated, have to present a certified PCR test result conducted within 48 hours of their entry, or a certificate of recovery from Covid-19 infection within one month from the date of travel, containing a QR code.

“Possibility to do a PCR nasal swab test upon arrival in the UAE,” the statement added.

For those using land routes for entry, the statement clarified, “As of March 3, 2022, all announced entry procedures for the country will apply to land ports as well. We advise those coming through land ports to undergo a PCR laboratory examination within 24 hours of arriving in the country, for visitors who plan to stay for more than 72 hours.”