UAE Suspends Flights From Nigeria Over Increase In Covid-19 Cases
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has suspended all inbound flights for national and international carriers and transit passengers from Nigeria and three other African countries.
This information was shared by UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Emergency Management Authority and the General Civil Aviation Authority.
Other suspended countries include; Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia.
Recall that on Monday, December 13, the UAE had reportedly banned foreign airlines from airlifting Nigerian passengers into the country.
As a result, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and other airlines connecting transit flights from their hubs into Dubai refused to board Nigerians.
The UAE also added that the ban is as a result of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases.
The agencies, on Thursday, noted that the suspension, which is effective from Saturday, December 25, was because of the emergence of Omicron and an increase in COVID-19 cases.
The statement read, “The UAE nationals, their first degree relatives, diplomatic missions, official delegations between UAE and these countries and Golden residence holders are excluded from this decision.
“The excluded categories should present a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 48 hours of departure and a Rapid-PCR test at the airport within six hours of departure whenever possible and another PCR test at the airport upon arrival to UAE.
“A 10-day quarantine and a PCR test on the ninth day of entering the country is required for UAE nationals, their first-degree relatives, diplomatic missions and golden residence holders,” the statement read in part.
GCAA also affirmed that it is required for those coming from the four countries through other countries to stay in latter countries for at least 14 days before being allowed entry to the UAE.
The statement further said that UAE citizens are barred from travelling to the four African countries except for the country’s emergency treatment cases, official delegations, and scholarships.
