Gulf countries relax travel regulations

According to airlines and tour operators, many of those who wanted to visit the UAE for leisure avoided travelling because of the Rapid RT-PCR test rule

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

Indians working in the Gulf can relax now that most countries in the region have begun relaxing travel rules such as the compulsory RT-PCR test or institutional quarantine.

Some time ago, the United Arab Emirates stopped the Rapid RT-PCR test from one of its entry rules. Currently, a negative RT-PCR report is required before departure. According to airlines and tour operators, many of those who wanted to visit the UAE for leisure avoided travelling because of the Rapid RT-PCR test rule.

Bahrain, for example, has from February 20, scrapped the PCR test upon arrival. Along with that the precautionary quarantine for all travellers to Bahrain has been stopped.

For Qatar, however, a RT-PCR negative test report is mandatory. Currently, a two-day quarantine, against the earlier week-long hotel quarantine for vaccinated travellers, is required. After two days, the RT-PCR test will be taken. Those who are unvaccinated have to undergo a week of hotel quarantine, according to the ministry of public health, Qatar.

Kuwait has stopped several travel restrictions for travellers. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said that fully vaccinated travellers would not have to undergo quarantine on arrival. All passengers (except those with visa on arrival in Kuwait) could enter the country.

According to Kuwait’s new travel guidelines, those who are fully vaccinated and have taken a booster dose would no longer be required to take a pre-departure or an on-arrival RT-PCR test. There is also no quarantine upon arrival. Only unvaccinated travellers or those who have not completed the full dose have to carry a negative report not older than 72 hours.

In Saudi Arabia, five days of quarantine has been made mandatory for those entering the country for the first time. However, for other expats only the RT-PCR test is required for departure from India.

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