Dubai eases Covid test requirement for UK visitors

A pre-travel test is now unnecessary for visitors from the UK, with Dubai now offering the option for a test on arrival.

Tourists can still choose to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test certificate (valid for 96 hours from the date of the test before departure) if they wish, but can also now choose to just take a PCR test in Dubai.

Similarly, transiting passengers are not required to present a PCR test certificate unless it is a requirement at the final destination.

PCR testing is carried out before passengers reach immigration at either the PCR testing area located at Connections, or for First and Business Class customers, at the designated testing area at the arrivals hall prior to immigration.

The announcement of the change was made through Emirates, the state-owned airline.

Any UK passenger who does take a test on arrival must stay in their accommodation until the result is known. All hotels are approved for initial stays; passengers just need to download a tracking app and wait until they are cleared with a negative test result, which usually comes in less than 24 hours, before moving around the emirate freely.

The UK FCDO currently advises against all non-essential travel to the UAE, meaning those returning from Dubai will still need to spend 14 days in quarantine.

Meanwhile, Emirates has also launched a winter seat sale with fares to Dubai from £379, available to book until 9 November for travel on selected dates between 1 November and 31 December.

The airline’s free, global insurance cover for Covid-19 related costs also remains in place.