UAE to lift entry ban on travellers from Nigeria, others Saturday

By Akinwande Soji-Ojo

The authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have revealed that the country will resume passenger flights from 12 African countries, including Nigeria, from Saturday, January 29.

The UAE’s National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority (NCEMA) made the disclosure via a post on its Twitter page.

“From January 29, entry into the UAE for arrivals from Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, the Republic of the Congo, the Republic of South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe is allowed again,” the tweet read.

According to the tweet, entry procedures have been updated for flights originating from Ghana, Rwanda and Uganda.

It added that passengers arriving from these three countries to the UAE must have a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 48 hours of departure from the approved laboratories in their respective countries.

The UAE agency said passengers must undergo a Rapid PCR test at the airports of departure. On arrival in UAE, they will be subjected to another PCR test.

The Arab nation asked residents of African countries to refrain from travelling to the country if they have COVID-19 symptoms.

Travel restrictions were put in place in December by UAE authorities over the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Emirates Airline, the flag carrier of the Arab nation, had also suspended flights to several African nations as a result of the directive.

However, the airline has resumed flights from five African nations in the last two weeks.