UAE to ease flight restriction on Nigeria, others June 23

Six months into restriction of flights from Nigeria into the United Arab Emirate (UAE), a new entry protocols for passengers from Nigeria may be introduced from Wednesday, June 23.

The United Arab Emirates had barred transit flights from Nigeria and other country into Dubai in January, as it only allows passengers to fly on direct flights to Dubai. This means that passengers originating from Nigeria to Dubai via any transit point will not be allowed to enter Dubai.

A statement by the Dubai media office, headed by Sheik Monsoor biin Mohammed bin Rashid El Maktoum, said the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management in Dubai announced update to Dubai travels protocols for outbound passengers from South Africa, Nigeria and India effective from June 23.

The protocols stipulated that passengers must have received a negative test result for a PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure, but UAE citizens are exempted.

Also passengers must present a negative PCR test certificate with a OR code from laboratory approved by the Nigerian government, adding that all passengers must undergo a PCR test on arrival at the Dubai Airport. It, however, appealed to transit passengers to comply with entry protocols of final destinations.