The United Arab Emirates has so far been successfully fighting its war against the coronavirus pandemic. Numerous testing centres, rigorous mass screenings, and enforcement of other stringent quarantine measurements have proven to be effective today in Dubai and other Emirates.
But what about COVID tests at airports in UAE? Do the guidelines require you to take a COVID test on arrival? Read along to find out all you need to know about COVID tests in Dubai and the UAE.
Table of Contents
1. COVID testing at Dubai Airport
1.1 Test on arrival
2. COVID testing at Abu Dhabi Airport
3 COVID testing at Ras al Khaimah Airport
COVID testing at Sharjah Airport
COVID testing at Dubai Airport
Dubai International Airport has an in-house RT-PCR testing laboratory that operates 24/7 and is capable of processing 100,000 samples per day. The testing lab is located just within a stone’s throw of Terminal 2. Passengers would be able to receive their test results in four to six hours via a text message as well as the Al Hosn app.
For the latest prices, rates, and other details, please get in touch directly with Dubai International Airport.
There is also a rapid antigen testing facility at Dubai International Airport. However, the requirement for a pre-departure antigen test applies only to outbound passengers to China.
The test on arrival facility is located at Terminal 3 departure area right next to Cafe Costa. The cost of the antigen test is AED 150 per test per person. The results of the test will be available in just 15 minutes and upon a negative result, a boarding pass will be presented.
Conversely, passengers who test positive for COVID-19 will need to follow DHA-advised protocols. Infants less than one-year-old are not required to get tested.
Test on arrival
Passengers arriving in Dubai from the following countries will be required to take another PCR test on arrival at Dubai International airport.
Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Botswana, Burundi, Cambodia, Chad, Chile, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Rwanda, Russia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Somaliland, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Once you take a test at the airport, you will receive a QR code that you can scan to receive your test results. Alternatively, you can also provide your contact number and get your results via text message.
You must remain in your hotel or residence until you receive the test result. If the test result is positive, you will be required to undergo isolation and follow the Dubai Health Authority guidelines. You may also download the COVID19 – DXB Smart App for iOS or Android.
COVID testing at Abu Dhabi Airport
All arriving travellers to Abu Dhabi, irrespective of their vaccine status and country of origin will be subjected to RT PCR test on arrival.
Abu Dhabi Airport has a free Covid-19 PCR testing facility for all incoming travellers. Those arriving through both terminals 1 and 3 will be tested at the AUH PCR testing facility. Results of the Covid-19 tests will be shared by SMS. You can also access your test results on the Alhosn mobile application or Alhosn website.
The launch of rapid Covid-19 testing services follows Abu Dhabi Airports’ introduction of a comprehensive range of health and safety measures at Abu Dhabi International Airport, including a specially trained team of Wellness Ambassadors equipped to support passengers by answering common questions relating to keeping healthy during travel, encouraging social distancing, and providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
COVID testing at Ras al Khaimah Airport
All arriving passengers are required to download the Alhosn app and take a covid-19 PCR test on arrival. The passengers will be required to remain in quarantine until the test results have been known. A negative test result will mean the end of quarantine, while those testing positive will have to isolate themselves as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
COVID testing at Sharjah Airport
All arriving passengers at Sharjah are required to undergo a PCR test upon arrival at Sharjah Airport regardless of their earlier negative report. Passengers must then subject themselves to self-quarantine at their residence until the results of their PCR test are confirmed.
PCR tests can be taken at Sharjah Airport Medical Center as per the following:
Fast Track PCR
Normal PCR. The test results are QR-coded approved by MOH and linked with Al Hosn mobile application. The results will also be sent through email & SMS based on the details you have registered.
Rapid testing. The medical report will be handed over immediately.
In case the result is negative, they are entitled to move, if the result is positive, the travellers concerned will have to undergo home/health quarantine up to a period stipulated by the UAE Ministry of Health and Community Protection.
In the case of a positive case of PCR test, the period of medical isolation is 14 days, with travellers or their sponsors bearing the expenses of treatment and isolation. In the event of non-compliance with quarantine restrictions, they will be liable to strict legal action and penalties. Please make sure to check with your respective airlines before boarding, to know the latest rules.
Sharjah Airport has also announced that COVID-19 PCR tests will be stopped at the airport medical centre upon reaching full capacity, in line with the commitment to social distancing as a precautionary measure to curb the pandemic. However, PCR tests for airport employees and passengers travelling through the airport will continue without interruption.
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