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Picture used for illustrative purposes only. Image Credit: PTI

Dubai: On April 22, UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced that inbound flights from India to the UAE would be suspended for a period of 10 days. On May 4, GCAA and NCEMA said that the suspension of entry for travellers from India would be extended. An end date for this suspension has not been announced as of now. On May 30, Emirates announced that the suspension would be effective until June 30, 2021.

What is the flight suspension and which flights are still operational? Here is all you need to know.

Which flights have been suspended?

According to the announcement by NCEMA and GCAA, all incoming flights from India to the UAE, on national and foreign carriers, have been suspended.

Flights carrying transit passengers will also be barred from coming to the UAE, with the exception of transit flights coming to the UAE and heading onward to India.

For how long will the flights be suspended?

The flight suspension started from 11.59pm on Saturday, April 24, 2021. These regulations will apply for a period of 10 days, which can be extended.

Exemptions

The following people have been exempted from the restrictions, and will be able to travel from India to the UAE:

- UAE citizens

- Diplomatic missions appointed by the two countries

- Official delegations

- Those on chartered flights by businesses

- Those holding a golden residency visa.

Guidelines

If you are among the exempted group of individuals, who are still being allowed to travel in to the UAE from India, you would be required to follow these guidelines:

- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test done within 48 hours of the departure of the flight.

- Quarantine for 10 days after arrival to the UAE.

- PCR test at the airport, as well as on the fourth and eighth day after entering the UAE.

Which flights are still open?

While incoming flights have been suspended from India to the UAE, these are the flights that are still operational:

Outbound flights

Flights going from the UAE to India will continue to operate, according to NCEMA and GCAA.

Transiting from other countries

Passengers coming to the UAE from India, after transiting through other countries would be required to stay in those countries for at least 14 days before being allowed to enter the UAE.

Cargo flights

Cargo flights between the two countries will continue to operate.