South Africans are increasingly feeling like pariahs when it comes to international travel. Image: Adobe Stock
FINALLY: United Arab Emirates lifts travel ban on South Africa
The UAE joined dozens of countries in imposing tight travel restrictions on South Africa, after the Omicron variant was detected
South Africans are increasingly feeling like pariahs when it comes to international travel. Image: Adobe Stock
Some good news for South Africans: They will finally be able to travel to the United Arab Emirates from Saturday, 29 January 2022, as the country announced the easing of travel restrictions.
It was in November that the UAE joined dozens of countries in imposing tight travel restrictions on South Africa, after the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was detected by local scientists on home soil.
The UAE’s announcement also spells good news for other African countries – including Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Uganda, and Angola, who were also slapped with travel restrictions.
“Emirates will resume passenger operations between Dubai and five African countries starting from 29 January, offering customers more choice, superior value and enhanced connectivity to and through Dubai. The significant restoration of services will include Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Dar El Salaam, Tanzania; Nairobi, Kenya; Harare, Zimbabwe; Emirates’ three South African gateways Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban”
Emirates
SOUTH AFRICANS TRAVELLING TO UAE – WHAT TO KNOW
The lifting of the UAE’s travel ban on South Africa means its back to business for Emirates, the official airline for the country.
Flights between Dubai and South Africa will operate as a daily flight to and from Johannesburg, effective 29 January and double daily services from 1 February. Flights to and from Cape Town and Durban will operate daily from 1 February, the airline has said.
While the travel restrictions have changed, most of the protocols remain.
Emirates says all passengers travelling from Emirates’ African network with Dubai as their final destination require a 48 hour PCR test. They would need to present a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate with a QR code for a test conducted at an approved facility, and validity must be calculated from the time the sample was collected.
“Upon arrival in Dubai, passengers will undergo an additional Covid-19 PCR test and remain in self quarantine until the results of the test are received. Passengers travelling from these destinations and transiting in Dubai are required to follow the rules and requirements of their final destination,” the carrier said.
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