Dubai tightens entry rules for foreign tourists

The Dubai authorities have decided to tighten the entry rules for foreign travelers from January 31 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Report informs with reference to the Twitter page of the Emirate's government.

According to the new rules, all foreign citizens arriving in Dubai will have to present a negative PCR test for coronavirus, obtained no earlier than 72 hours before departure. Previously, it was allowed to do the testing 96 hours before travel.

"Travelers arriving in Dubai from any country must undergo a PCR test in advance. Visitors from some countries (depending on the epidemical situation) may need additional testing in Dubai. The validity period for PCR tests has been reduced from 96 to 72 hours," the press release said.

According to the latest data, since the beginning of the epidemic, the UAE has recorded over 293,000 coronavirus infection cases. The country has seen 819 COVID-related deaths. Over 267,000 of the patients have recovered.

The UAE launched the vaccination process in test mode in October 2021. Anyone over the age of 16 is eligible for vaccination. The authorities plan to vaccinate 50% of the country's population during the first quarter of this year. The country has approved the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, the Chinese Sinopharm (Sinopharm), as well as the American-German Pfizer - Biontech.