It may seem like years since you last had a holiday abroad as a family – and that’s because it probably is. But as the vaccines roll out and quarantine and travel restrictions ease on the run up to the second Northern-hemisphere summer since the pandemic began, the possibility of a relaxing getaway overseas is much more realistic for many UAE families. Emirates has just announced that it is now flying direct to 19 destinations that no longer require quarantining from UAE residents (although you may have to be vaccinated for this to apply). While restrictions may change with the evolving situation (be sure to check with the local authorities before booking), here are the countries currently open to UAE tourists without quarantine…
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SEYCHELLES: With lush, tropical jungle and beautiful sandy beaches set against characteristic large, black granite rocks, The Seychelles is welcoming all visitors from the UAE, irrespective of their vaccination status. Nevertheless all travellers, including infants and children, regardless of vaccination status, must have a negative COVID 19 PCR certificate from an accredited laboratory to enter Seychelles, which must be taken not more than 72 hours before departure from the UAE. You are also required to submit a Health travel authorisation (HTA) for approval, which must be valid up to one day after your scheduled arrival for you to be accepted for travel.
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CYPRUS: The island destination of Cyprus, located in the Mediterranean sea, recently announced quarantine-free travel to a select list of countries, of which the UAE is one. Families travelling from the UAE may enjoy the rustic charm of the craggy Cypriot mountains, its golden beaches and historic landmarks, so long as they take a COVID 19 PCR test no later than 72 hours before departure at their own expense, and undergo a second test upon arrival. All passengers must also complete the Cyprus Flight Pass no later than 24 hours before departure.
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THE MALDIVES: Dubai is currently operating regular flights to Male, the capital of the Maldives, and the country has been running a slew of excellent travel promotions to entice visitors. UAE residents are welcome to enjoy the archipelago’s pristine turquoise waters and white sugar-sand, provided they present a negative Covid-19 PCR test within 96 hours and a health declaration form within 24 hours of departure. While it is usually thought of as a honeymoon destination, there are many family-friendly hotel and island options too, many of which have wonderful kids’ clubs, in addition to the many nature-based seaside activities on offer.
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GREECE: Fancy a delicious dip in the Aegean sea, beautiful Greek tavernas and heaps of ancient history? Greece has announced restriction-free entry to travelers from the UAE, who will no longer have to undergo seven-day mandatory quarantine if they hold a vaccination certificate, can provide proof of recovery from COVID-19 (valid as of two months after positive PCR or antigen test up to nine months), or if they can present a negative result of the Coronavirus test, not older than 72 hours. On meeting one of these three conditions, UAE families may enjoy a Greek getaway by flying into any of the currently open airports, which include island hotspots Crete, Santorini, Kos, Mykonos and Rhodes – but be aware that passengers will be subjected to random COVID 19 rapid testing on arrival (it’s a 14-day supervised quarantine if you test positive).
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KENYA: For any intrepid family travelers out there many Kenyan operators are still running safaris throughout the pandemic, so you can marvel at majestic beasts grazing beneath vast African skies in an ancient landscape that dates back to long before COVID-19 was on the horizon. As of 30 April 2021 travellers from the UAE are exempted from any quarantine requirement to Kenya, but all passengers, including transit/ transfer passengers, must present a negative COVID 19 PCR test certificate issued no more than 96 hours before departure at check in, and must verify their COVID 19 RT PCR test before entering Kenya.
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SPAIN: Get your fix of tasty tapas and fiery flamenco in Spain where, from June 7, tourists will be able to enter if they have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days before the date of travel, or can present their Covid-19 PCR tests taken 48 hours prior to arrival. Emirates is currently flying regular flights to both Madrid and Barcelona, with more flights planned.
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ITALY: Rolling Tuscan hills, romantic Venetian waterways, or historic Roman ruins – whatever your dream holiday looks like in the beautiful land of art, culture, pizza and pasta, it may finally be able to become a reality this summer. Emirates has said that from June 9 passengers can fly to Italy without needing to quarantine. On COVID 19 tested flights passengers are allowed to enter Italy for tourism purposes from any point of origin (except banned countries: Sri Lanka / Bangladesh / India). Passengers arriving at Rome, Milan and Venice will go through the rapid COVID 19 test and will be exempted from quarantine requirement. Infants up to 2 years old are exempted from COVID 19 testing requirements. As regulations are continually changing, please check before booking.
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PHUKET: Lush and vibrant Thailand has long been a favourite family holiday destination for UAE-based families, and from 1 July 2021, Phuket will be accepting vaccinated international passengers who have performed a COVID 19 PCR test 72 hours prior to departure into Phuket. Flights on Emirates start up from 2 July and passengers between ages 12 and 17 years old can undergo a Rapid Antigen Test upon arrival at HKT airport at their own expense which costs around Dh140-Dh180. A COVID 19 PCR test will be conducted on day 6 and day 12 if passengers stay for more than 12 days on the island. Tourists intending to visit other parts of Thailand must spend a minimum of 14 days in Phuket. Non vaccinated passengers will need to quarantine for 14 days on arrival – if you are vaccinated, it needs to have been completed 14 days before your travel to Phuket. Children under 12 years old can travel to Phuket with their parents and do not need to undergo any test.
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USA: The United States has eased its rules, putting it back on the list of possible holiday destinations for UAE dwellers. Emirates flies to 11 cities within the country, with Miami due to be added from July 21. For most US destinations fully vaccinated passengers from the UAE do not need to quarantine on arrival, but they must still have a negative COVID 19 test result before they board a flight to the United States and get a COVID 19 test 3 to 5 days after returning from international travel. Asymptomatic travellers entering New York from another country, U.S. state, or territory are no longer required to test or quarantine as of 10 April 2021.
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RUSSIA: There are currently no quarantine requirements for travel to Russia. Before boarding the flight to Moscow, all non Russian citizens including children, must present a certificate of a negative COVID 19 PCR test taken not more than 72 hours before their time of arrival to Moscow. The certificate must either be in English or Russian.
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MEXICO: Mexico is fully open to tourists, and Emirates will be reinstating its flights to Mexico City from July 2 2021. If you are travelling to Mexico, you will not be required to take a pre departure COVID 19 PCR test but you must complete in the traveller information form upon arrival. There are no COVID 19 test requirements for entry to Mexico. All passengers must register and complete an online a health declaration form before departure from Mexico. Once completed the confirmation QR code must be presented at check in.
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MOROCCO: This North African country is open to travelers from the UAE, without the need to quarantine. All travellers, except children below 11 years old, who are entering Morocco must take a COVID 19 PCR test. COVID 19 PCR test must be within 72 hours from sample taken and valid on arrival. The printed test results must be presented on request at check in and to local officials on arrival.All passengers are required to complete a RAPID COVID 19 test on arrival, and must complete the passenger health form before departure and present a printed copy of the form upon arrival.
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SRI LANKA: A family holiday hotspot for UAE residents in normal times, the lush island of Sri Lanka reopened for tourism this year without obligatory lengthy quarantines, but with some provisos, including obtaining approved Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) issued via http://www.eta.gov.lk/ after having a confirmed booking at one of the country’s Level 1 Safety Secured Hotels, as well as pre-purchased PCR tests and mandatory COVID insurance coverage. All tourists must start their trip at one of the pre-approved Level 1 "Safe and Secure hotels: non-vaccinated visitors must spend their whole trip in a level 1 hotel, while vaccinated passengers must stay there for the first two days, but can then travel freely provided they return a negative test result. Tourists can visit approved tourist sites under the safety of a bio-bubble.
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ARMENIA: Fly Dubai is operating flights to Yerevan, Armenia’s fascinating capital, which is a combination of stark Soviet-style architecture and charming old buildings, all set against dramatic snow-topped mountains. UAE travellers who can present a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure are able to visit, so families can explore the country’s rich historic town centre, or travel into its beautiful, monastery-specked mountainous countryside.
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GEORGIA: Fly Dubai is operating flights to Georgia’s quirky and vibrant capital, Tbilisi, which has a fascinating old town for families to explore, full of narrow streets, sulphur bath houses and buildings with distinctive carved wooden balconies. If you’re fully vaccinated you can visit Georgia restriction-free, but if not, UAE travellers may visit if they have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours and agree to take a third PCR test on their third day in the country.
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FRANCE: France is usually one of the most visited countries in the world, with tourists flocking to enjoy the romantic cobbled streets of Paris, the incredible food and the beautiful Gallic coast and countryside. This summer the country has announced it will open up and, from 9 June, France’s updated colour-coded system comes into effect, whereby travellers from the UAE (which is currently graded amber/ orange) who are fully vaccinated may arrive with a negative PCR test, taken within 72 hours. If you are not vaccinated however, you may not enter France without an essential reason.
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JORDAN: The ancient ruins of Petra can be glimpsed by lucky UAE travelers this Summer, with Jordan reopened to tourists. Fully vaccinated passengers must present a negative COVID 19 PCR test result for a test conducted within 72 hours prior to the scheduled time of departure to Jordan from the first departure airport. COVID 19 PCR testing is not required upon arrival. A medical certificate proving that the full course of vaccination has been completed to be presented in print or electronic copy at check in. Passengers must register on the platform VISIT JORDAN to get a QR code, and must also submit passenger health declaration and locator forms in English or Arabic at the check in counter before departure.
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EGYPT: Emirates is flying to Egypt, which it says is now possible to visit quarantine-free. If you’re travelling to Egypt, you will need to take a COVID 19 PCR test and submit a health declaration form before arrival.
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BAHRAIN: From 24 May 2021, fully vaccinated or recovered passengers travelling from the United Arab Emirates are not required to undergo a COVID 19 PCR test before or after arrival. The original or a copy on an official GCC mobile app of the vaccination certificate stating that the last dose of the vaccine was administered at least 14 days before arrival in Bahrain or a recovery certificate must be presented.
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LEBANON: All passengers who have received the second dose of a COVID 19 vaccine a minimum of 15 days before their departure are exempted from performing a COVID 19 PCR test in the country they are travelling from but must perform a COVID 19 PCR test upon arrival in Lebanon (children below 12 years old are exempt).
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TANZANIA: A popular spot for safaris and honeymoons, Tanzania is accepting UAE travelers without the need to quarantine. All passengers (except children aged 10 years or below)will be required to present a negative COVID 19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Tanzania. All passengers will also be subjected to rapid COVID 19 test on arrival in Dar es Salaam (DAR) at their own expense. The cost of the rapid COVID 19 test is $25 (around Dh90) and must be paid in cash.
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TURKEY: Bursting with cool culture, fascinating history and stunning architecture, Istan bul and the rest of Turkey are now possible to visit for Dubai residents, quarantine-free. The latest guidelines say that passengers from the UAE who submit an official document issued by their relevant country’s authorities stating that they have been vaccinated at least 14 days prior to their arrival to Turkey and/or they had the disease within the last 6 months before entry, will not be required to present a negative COVID 19 PCR test result and will be exempted from the quarantine requirements.
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