Residents in the UAE are looking forward to a long Eid weekend at the end of the month, and if you’re considering a brief excursion to take advantage of the extra time off, you should be aware of the COVID-19 requirements.
While many countries have simplified COVID-19 testing and quarantine regulations, you’ll still need some basic documentation and maybe a PCR test for select destinations. So, here’s a simple travel checklist to make sure your Eid holiday trip is stress-free.
Step 1: Check your destination’s PCR requirements
Is it possible to travel to the location without being completely vaccinated? In the event that you have been vaccinated, what documentation do you need to provide in order to be accepted for travel? Each location has its own set of COVID-19 guidelines, which you may see on the websites of the airlines you’ll be flying with.
So, before you go, look for the most up-to-date requirements for your specific trip.
Step 2: Vaccination certificate – are you fully vaccinated?
Even if you’ve had two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, you should still check to see if the destination you’re visiting requires a booster dose six months after the second dose to be considered completely vaccinated.
Also, you must determine which vaccines are accepted by the country in order to determine whether your vaccine status will be accepted.
If you received the doses in the UAE and meet the requirements of the destination country, you can download your vaccine certificate from the Al Hosn app. A QR code is printed on the certificate.
How to download the vaccine certificate
- Get the ‘Alhosn’ app, which is available for both Apple and Android.
- Register with your Emirates ID number and a one-time password will be sent to your registered cellphone number for verification purposes.
- Once you’ve signed up for the app, you’ll be able to see a list of the immunization doses you’ve received.
- To download the certificate, select ‘Share immunization certificate’ from the three dots in the top right corner. The programme will then provide you the choice of sending a soft copy of your immunization card by email or messaging app or downloading a pdf to print.
Step 3: Do you need a PCR test?
While some countries have begun to allow fully vaccinated travelers to travel without having to take a PCR test, other nations may still need it. A few nations also need travelers to be completely vaccinated as well as have a negative PCR test result in order to fly.
The PCR test can take anywhere between 72 and 48 hours before your flight’s departure schedule. It’s worth noting, however, that most countries demand a PCR test with a QR code for verification purposes.
Where can I get an approved PCR test?
Dubai
These are the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) integrated laboratories that issue COVID-19 PCR test certificates in Dubai, according to Emirates Airlines.
- Agiomix
- Al Garhoud Private Hospital
- Al Zahra Hospital
- American Hospitals Dubai
- CPS Clinical Pathology Services (MenaLab)
- Dubai Health Authority (Latifa Labs)
- EUROFINS BIOMNIS
- Freiburg Medical Laboratory
- Mediclinic Hospitals Group
- Medsol Dubai Medical Laboratory
- National Reference Laboratory
- Viafet Genomic laboratory
- Scientific Clinical Laboratories (Unilabs)
- Star Metropolis Clinical Laboratories
- York Diagnostic Laboratories
Other hospitals
- Al Tadawi Medical Centre
- Aster Hospitals in Dubai
- Canadian Specialist Hospital
- Emirates Hospital
- King’s College Hospital Dubai
- MedCare
- Medeor Hospital
- NMC Healthcare
- Prime Medical Centres
- Saudi German Hospital
- Thumbay Hospital
- Zulekha Hospital
Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi Department of Health lists the following centers, which perform PCR tests:
Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center
Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center Booth
Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center Field Tent – Al Mushrif
Yas Healthcare L.L.C.
Accuracy Plus Medical Laboratory
Yas Health Care L.L.C. – Branch 1
Al Borg Diagnostic Centre For Laboratories L.L.C.
Al Fuad Medical Center
Al Hosn One Day Surgery Center L.L.C
Alshameel Home Care
Baynuna Medical Center Booth – (Capital Mall)
Capital Medical Centre For Health Screening – L.L.C
Health Plus Medical Laboratory / Health Plus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center
Marina Health Promotion Center LLC
Wellness One Day Surgery Center LLC
Yas Clinic Group – Khalifa
New National Medical Center – Musaffah
Ideal Clinical Laboratories
Proficiency Healthcare Diagnostic Laboratories L.L.C Screening Tent
Droncall Ltd
Pioneer Medical Services L.L.C
Home Health Medical Centre – L L C
Medstar Icad Medical Center L.L.C
Healthline Day Care Surgery Screening Tent
Nmc Specialty Hospital Llc Drive Thru Tent
Makkah Specialized Medical Centre
Al Ain
Czech Rehabilitation Hospital – Alain
Al Shrooq Health Services Center Llc
Al Sultan Advanced Medical Clinics
Infinity Health Care Medical Center Llc – Al Ain
Ain Al Khaleej Hospital
Medstar Clinics – Al Ain Industrial
Burjeel Royal Hospital L.L.C Screening Tent
Pride Medical Center – Al Ain Industrial
The Health Team Medical Center L.L.C – Al Ain
True Life Primary Care Center L.L.C.
Classic Care Medical Center – Sweihan, Al Ain
Yas Clinic Group – Al Ain
Advanced Medical Center Dignostic Center
Accu Care Medical Laboratory – Al Ain
Czech Rehabilitation Hospital And Al Ain Football Club Drive-Thru Tent
Al Balsam Medical Center L.L.C.
Beaulink Medical Center
Al Mamoon Medical Centre
Cure Plus Medical Center
Laurette Medical Centre
Alraaya Specialist Medical Centre
Biotech Diagnostic Centre Medical Laboratory Llc
Cope Medical Center
Ultra Medical Center Screening Tent
Medeor 24×7 International Hospital L.L.C Tent
Royal Care Medical Centre – Branch1
Diamond Medical Center L.L.C
Al Taj Medical Laboratory
Emirates International Hospital – Sole Proprietorship L.L.C.
Drive-through National Screening Centres
COVID-19 drive-through National Screening Centres are available in all emirates. To schedule a COVID-19 screening appointment from anywhere in the UAE, download the SEHA app or call the Estijaba helpdesk at 8001717.
You will receive a text message confirming the location and time of the screening.
Step 4: Do you need to register with the COVID-19 portal in your country?
Following the COVID-19 outbreak, countries all around the world created internet portals to follow the virus’s progress. Find out if you need to register with the COVID-19 portal in your destination country. If that’s the case, you’ll need to supply your flight information, immunization status, and a negative PCR test result, according to the most recent standards.