Dubai’s easing of restrictions for passengers from South Africa who are fully vaccinated with vaccines approved by the UAE authorities will commence June 23. Emirates will start uplifting outbound passenger who qualify, from the same date.
These passengers originating in SA will need to carry a negative result from a PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure, but UAE citizens are exempt from this requirement.
On arrival at Dubai Airport, passengers will be required to undergo another PCR test.
Transiting passengers will need to comply with the entry protocols of their final destinations.
Dubai's announcement was followed by an announcement from Emirates on Sunday, June 20, that its flights from Johannesburg to Dubai may be booked from June 23, 2021 onwards, for passengers who meet these requirements.
Emirates suspended its passenger services between South Africa and Dubai on January 16, 2021, and then later reinstated daily flights between Johannesburg and Dubai, with only flights inbound to SA allowing certain passengers on board. The outbound flights were for cargo only with no passenger uplift. Now passenger uplift in SA for eligible passengers is allowed.
Travel News will report back with more details as they become available.
