Passengers travelling from the UK to Dubai will need to take a pre-departure PCR test a maximum of 48 hours before flying. Reuters
Passengers travelling from the UK to Dubai will need to take a pre-departure PCR test a maximum of 48 hours before flying. Reuters
Passengers travelling from the UK to Dubai will need to take a pre-departure PCR test a maximum of 48 hours before flying. Reuters
Passengers travelling from the UK to Dubai will need to take a pre-departure PCR test a maximum of 48 hours before flying. Reuters

UAE

PCR test validity reduced to 48 hours for travellers from the UK to Dubai

New rule came into effect at 4am on Sunday

Kelly Clarke
Kelly Clarke

January 02, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Passengers travelling from the UK to Dubai will need to take a pre-departure PCR test a maximum of 48 hours before flying.

The new rule, which was posted on the Emirates airline website, came into effect at 4am on Sunday.

Previously, tourists and residents entering the emirate from the UK were able to present a negative test taken no more than 72 hours before travel.

As Covid-19 cases continue to rise in the UAE and across the world as a result of the new Omicron variant, restrictions around travel have tightened.

“Effective 04:00 GST, Sunday 2 January 2022, all passengers travelling from the UK to or through Dubai must present a negative Covid‑19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 48 hours before departure unless exempted,” a post on the airline’s website read.

“The certificate must be a Reverse Transcription ‑ Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT‑PCR) test.

“Other test certificates including antibody tests and home testing kits are not accepted in Dubai.”

At the weekend, Abu Dhabi also removed the UK from its travel green list.

Now, vaccinated passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi from the UK will need to take a PCR test on day four and day eight, in addition to the pre-departure PCR test.

Unvaccinated passengers will need to take a pre-departure PCR test before flying to Abu Dhabi and will have to isolate in their accommodation for 10 days on arrival to the emirate.

In addition, they will have to take a PCR test at a SEHA Prime Testing Facility on day nine.

The UK reported almost 190,000 new cases on Friday, a record, but the British government said any further curbs or lockdowns would be a last resort.

UK battles Omicron surge: in pictures

  • A member of staff walks through a ward for Covid-19 patients at King's College Hospital in London. PA
    A member of staff walks through a ward for Covid-19 patients at King's College Hospital in London. PA
  • A sign urging residents to wear face masks in Nottingham. People who have tested positive for the coronavirus will now be able to leave home on day seven if they have two negative tests. AP
    A sign urging residents to wear face masks in Nottingham. People who have tested positive for the coronavirus will now be able to leave home on day seven if they have two negative tests. AP
  • A waiter cleans a table at an empty restaurant in London. Authorities are still urging people to stay at home amid fears over the Omicron coronavirus variant. Reuters
    A waiter cleans a table at an empty restaurant in London. Authorities are still urging people to stay at home amid fears over the Omicron coronavirus variant. Reuters
  • Passengers wearing Santa hats sit on the top deck of a tour bus as they view the Christmas lights in central London. AFP
    Passengers wearing Santa hats sit on the top deck of a tour bus as they view the Christmas lights in central London. AFP
  • Nurses work at a desk surrounded by Christmas decorations in a ward for Covid-19 patients at King's College Hospital. PA
    Nurses work at a desk surrounded by Christmas decorations in a ward for Covid-19 patients at King's College Hospital. PA
  • Empty tables outside a restaurant in the Seven Dials district of London. Covid-19 infections have surged in recent days, authorities say. AFP
    Empty tables outside a restaurant in the Seven Dials district of London. Covid-19 infections have surged in recent days, authorities say. AFP
  • People receive a dose of a Covid-19 vaccine at a temporary clinic set up in the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast. AFP
    People receive a dose of a Covid-19 vaccine at a temporary clinic set up in the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast. AFP
  • Shoppers stroll through Carnaby Street in London. AP
    Shoppers stroll through Carnaby Street in London. AP
  • People, most of them without masks, skate around the Christmas tree at the Natural History Museum in London. Reuters
    People, most of them without masks, skate around the Christmas tree at the Natural History Museum in London. Reuters
  • Health workers speak with a patient inside a vaccination centre in Liverpool. AFP
    Health workers speak with a patient inside a vaccination centre in Liverpool. AFP
  • Tourists cross Westminster Bridge in London. AP
    Tourists cross Westminster Bridge in London. AP
  • A sign outside the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, London, which has been forced to close its doors for a week due to staff shortages related to coronavirus. PA
    A sign outside the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, London, which has been forced to close its doors for a week due to staff shortages related to coronavirus. PA
  • Commuters at a quiet Waterloo Station in south London. PA
    Commuters at a quiet Waterloo Station in south London. PA
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

While you're here
European arms

Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons.  Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.

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IF YOU GO
 
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
 
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info

 Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.

SWEET%20TOOTH
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ANDROID%20VERSION%20NAMES%2C%20IN%20ORDER
%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Alpha%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Beta%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Cupcake%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Donut%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Eclair%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Froyo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Gingerbread%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Honeycomb%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Ice%20Cream%20Sandwich%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Jelly%20Bean%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20KitKat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Lollipop%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Marshmallow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Nougat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Oreo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Pie%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2010%20(Quince%20Tart*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2011%20(Red%20Velvet%20Cake*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2012%20(Snow%20Cone*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2013%20(Tiramisu*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2014%20(Upside%20Down%20Cake*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2015%20(Vanilla%20Ice%20Cream*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3E*%20internal%20codenames%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.

A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.

Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.

A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.

On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.

The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.

Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.

The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later. 

Updated: January 02, 2022, 8:10 AM
Emirates AirlinesDubaiAbu Dhabi