UAE suspends entry for travellers from Republic of Congo

Starting Friday, travellers and transit passengers from the Republic of Congo will no longer be permitted to enter the UAE.

Making the announcement on Twitter, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said the restrictions will come into play at 8:00 am.

UAE citizens and their relatives and domestic workers, golden residence visa holders, official delegations and those on diplomatic missions will be exempt from the restrictions.

Meanwhile, travellers who have stayed out of Congo for a period of no less than 14 days will also be allowed entry.

These passengers must present a negative PCR test with 48-hour validity and take a rapid PCR test at the airport on arrival in the UAE. They must also undergo a 10-day quarantine and take a PCR test on day nine.

#NCEMA and the General Civil Aviation Authority: Suspensions of entry for travelers from the Republic of the Congo, and tightening travel restrictions on a number of countries, starting December 17, at 08:00AM.#TogetherWeRecover pic.twitter.com/wWJoyjTbvL

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) December 15, 2021

In addition, new travel guidelines for those flying in from Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia have also been announced. 

Passengers on direct flights will need a negative COVID-19 test with 48-hour validity and a rapid-PCR test at the airport within six hours of the departure for entry.

Meanwhile, transit passengers will need a negative COVID-19 test with 48-hour validity and a Rapid-PCR test at the first airport within six hours of travelling, and another Rapid-PCR test at the transit airport.