Rapid PCR test a must for Pakistanis flying to UAE

UAE reports lowest daily virus cases in 3 months; 70 passengers not allowed to board at Karachi airport for lack of rapid PCR tests; America ‘failing’ on COVID-19, says top health official; US-Canada land border reopens.

- Tariq Butt

ISLAMABAD

The UAE has put a complete ban on passengers from Pakistan who have not conducted rapid PCR tests prior to boarding flights at the airports.

The UAE will only allow those, who had gone through rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 at the airports.

Meanwhile, Pakistani airport authorities have confirmed a change in policy for passengers travelling to the UAE.

A source associated with the incident at Karachi Airport said that on Monday at least 70 passengers were denied boarding on a flight to the UAE due to the latest rule and non-fulfilment of rapid PCR test policy.

Earlier, Pakistani passengers could enter Sharjah and Al Ain with only rapid antigen tests via Air Arabia flight. However, now the passengers from the countries in the high-risk category including Pakistan would not be able to enter the UAE without a negative rapid PCR test report.

Also, the rapid PCR test should be done at the airport of the country of origin. Hundreds of passengers have been barred by Emirates and other UAE airlines from travelling for not having rapid PCR test, which is required to be conducted within four hours before the departure of the flight.