Coronavirus: Emirates passengers flying to Dubai from India, Pakistan and parts of the US require negative Covid-19 tests

The airline has announced passengers travelling with Emirates from a number of destinations must prove they are virus-free

Emirates resumes flights today to nine destinations. The Dubai airline has announced a range of upgraded health and safety procedures for flights to protect travellers during the pandemic. Courtesy Dirk Grothe

Protective barriers have been installed at Dubai International Airport at each check-in desk and immigration counter to provide additional safety reassurance to passengers and employees during interaction over the counter. Courtesy Emirates 

Emirates has introduced complimentary hygiene kits to be given to every passenger upon check in at Dubai International Airport and on flights to Dubai. These kits comprise of masks, gloves, antibacterial wipes and hand sanitiser. Courtesy Emirates

The gloves and face masks must be worn throughout the airport and face masks are compulsory on all Emirates flights.

Emirates has added a cabin service assistant to flights with a journey time of more than 90 minutes. This crew member will ensure lavatories are cleaned at frequent intervals of  45 mins. Courtesy Emirates

Emirates Airline has announced that passengers travelling to Dubai from a host of destinations - including India, Pakistan, the Philippines and parts of the United States - will require a negative Covid-19 test before boarding its flights.

The Dubai carrier said the new safety guidelines will come into force from Friday.

Emirates said passengers must obtain a negative test certificate issued by a local government approved laboratory in order to board a flight with the airline.

The certificates must be issued no more than 96 hours before the passenger's departure date.

"Where specified, a certificate from a UAE government designated laboratory in the country of origin is also acceptable," the Emirates statement said.

The safety measures were confirmed just a day after Dubai began to welcome back tourists to the emirate.

Commercial flights to Dubai were grounded in March as part of efforts to limit the spread of Covid-19.

Tourism has opened up once more, however, as Dubai continues to ease restrictions as part of a wider strategy to bolster the economy.

Which countries and American cities are affected?

• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh
• Egypt
• India
• Iran
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Russian Federation
• Tanzania
• USA - Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Orlando (MCO), including passengers originating from California, Florida and Texas connecting to an Emirates flight to Dubai.

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More travel information:

Where UAE residents can be tested overseas for Covid-19 before returning to the Emirates