UAE airlines make QR code in COVID-19 test report mandatory for passengers from more countries

Dubai: Two UAE airways, flydubai and Air Arabia, have expanded the record of nations, passengers from which should current a QR code in pre-departure COVID-19 check experiences.

A QR code (Fast Response code) is a sort of matrix bar code that gives a hyperlink to an internet web page when scanned with a smartphone digital camera.

Emirates airline had beforehand mandated passengers from India and Pakistan to submit unfavorable PCR check outcome which carry the QR code linked to the online web page of the unique report for verification. Nonetheless, most different airways within the UAE had solely required passengers from India to provide the identical.

Within the revised journey replace making QR code necessary for passengers extra nations, flydubai has added Pakistan, Egypt and Ethiopia together with India. “Effective from 00:01 (GMT+4) on 01 May 2021 passengers arriving in Dubai from Pakistan must be able to present a printed copy of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result in English or Arabic from a test taken at a certified lab (in the country from which they are travelling) no more than 72 hours before the departure of their inbound flight to Dubai. The test result MUST display a QR code,” the airline mentioned on its web site.

Related advisories have been posted for passengers from Egypt and Ethiopia, with the date of implementation of the rule talked about as Could 9. The requirement can be relevant to the classes of passengers who're exempted from the suspension of the carriage of passengers from India for 10 days from April 25.

UAE nationals, kids underneath the age of 12 and passengers with average to extreme disabilities are exempt from pre-departure testing.

In the meantime, Air Arabia’s web site mentioned passengers arriving from Bangladesh, Pakistan and India ought to carry a unfavorable COVID-19 PCR check with a QR code on it. In a journey replace despatched out to its companions, the airline, which operates flights to Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah mentioned that is efficient instantly as per the directives obtained from the UAE authorities.

Air Arabia mentioned the QR code requirement applies to transit passengers as properly.

Nonetheless, flydubai didn't mandate the QR code rule for transit passengers from Pakistan, Egypt and Ethiopia.

Transit passengers are at the moment not allowed into Dubai from India. Nonetheless, passengers are allowed to transit by means of Dubai to India. “The carriage of passengers travelling from India (or passengers who have transited through India in the last 14 days) is suspended for 10 days (and may be extended for a further period if necessary).”

“This does not apply to UAE nationals or diplomatic and official-mission passport holders or passengers with a golden visa issued by the UAE who must be able to present a printed copy of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result in English or Arabic from a test taken no more than 48 hours before the departure of their inbound flight to Dubai. The test result MUST display a QR code.”

Flydubai identified that every one passengers who're required to take a COVID-19 PCR check earlier than the departure of their inbound flight to Dubai, should be capable of current a printed copy of the unfavorable end in English or Arabic to be accepted for journey. “Soft copies on mobile phones and handwritten test results will not be accepted. The test must be taken at a UAE government-approved laboratory or one of the laboratories listed here,” it added on the location.