The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced that it is lifting COVID-19 travel restrictions from 12 countries in Africa.
This will be effective from Saturday, January 29, 2022.
International travelers who have recently visited these countries will now be able to enter and transit through the Emirates, providing they have their UAE online visa. These include several prominent African nations, such as South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria.
Travel had previously been banned due to the outbreak of the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
Flights to the UAE from the 12 countries have now resumed — both for national and international carriers.
This comes as welcome news for passengers in these 12 countries hoping to travel to destinations such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The rules for travel to the UAE from 3 other African nations have also been updated.
Which Countries Can Now Travel to the UAE?
Flights have now restarted and entry is now permitted to passengers arriving in the United Arab Emirates from the following 12 African countries:
- Botswana
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Republic of Congo
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Zimbabwe
In addition, the regulations for entry have been updated for those arriving from the following 3 nations in Africa:
- Ghana
- Rwanda
- Uganda
New COVID-19 testing regulations for travelers from African countries
Travelers arriving from any of the 12 aforementioned countries, as well as from Ghana, Rwanda, and Uganda, must take a total of 3 COVID-19 tests.
The first test must be performed at an approved laboratory within 48 hours before departure. They must bring the negative test result to be permitted to travel to the UAE.
They must also take a rapid PCR test at the airport before departure.
Finally, upon arrival in the UAE, they will be tested a third time (PCR).
Changing Restrictions for Travelers from African Countries to the UAE
The United Arab Emirates’ National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) had previously banned all travel from the 12 aforementioned African states.
Individuals who had spent time in these countries within the past 14 days were not permitted to enter the UAE.
