All inbound passengers to Dubai will now require a pre-travel PCR test before arrival in the emirate, it was announced on Wednesday.

As part of the revised protocols announced by the Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management, UAE residents, GCC citizens and visitors are required to do a PCR test prior to departure for Dubai irrespective of the country they are coming from.

The committee has also decided to reduce the validity period of PCR tests from 96 hours to 72 hours.

Arrivals from certain countries (based on the pandemic situation in those countries) will also require an additional test on arrival in Dubai, a statement said.

However, protocols will remain the same for UAE citizens returning to the country from overseas, which exempt them from undergoing a PCR test prior to departure, regardless of the country they are coming from.

They will only be required to conduct a PCR test on arrival in Dubai.

The new regulations come into effect from Sunday, January 31, 2021.

The committee has also directed Dubai Airports to provide Rapid PCR or Rapid Antigen testing at all airports to facilitate travel procedures for passengers departing from Dubai to countries that require this type of pre-travel test.

“The updates are part of the committee’s keenness to protect passengers and ease hassles for them without compromising on Covid-19 precautionary measures,” the statement added.

The committee also said that the updated travel protocols are part of a regular process of revising and optimising precautionary measures based on the latest developments.

They are “aimed at enabling the city to continue serving as a global commercial hub and a bridge for travel and trade”, it said.