Pakistan opens Rapid PCR test facilities for UAE-bound passengers at 4 airports
- 13 Aug 2021
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
Emirates has confirmed that four Pakistani airports now have the facility to conduct the Rapid PCR test 4 hours prior to boarding the jet.
The test is done to detect COVID-19 infections.
Emirates said that Sialkot has stated the facility on Aug.11, while Peshawar, Islamabad started on Aug.13.
Karachi Airport will start the rapid test on Aug.14.
The news came to the light after a Pakistani travller named Toqeer Ahmad shared a screenshot of Emirates email about the Rapid test facilities in Pakistan.
He asked Emirates, “Please confirm. Is it true?”
Emirates responded, “Hi Toqeer. Rapid PCR testing facility is now available in the following airports: Islamabad, Sialkot, and Peshawar. We're yet to receive further updates regarding the remaining airports. Please continue to monitor our website for the latest updates. Thanks.”
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This decision was taken after hundreds of travellers to the UAE were denied boarding jet in Pakistan due to lack of the Rapid test facility.
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) also announced that the counters for conducing rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for COVID-19 would become functional within at the Jinnah International Airport Karachi on Saturday.
The aviation authority said that the services of Pakistani laboratories accredited by the UAE authorities would be available at the Jinnah Airport four hours before the departure of passengers going abroad, adding that the fee of the rapid PCR tests would have to be paid by the passengers.
“The CAA is finalising all possible measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic,” the Pakistani authority further stated in a statement.
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) also said that it will set up mobile testing facilities at airports amidst Pakistani expatriates’ denial to fly to the UAE due to the non-availability of rapid test facilities.
The UAE authorities have allowed vaccinated stranded residents in India, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Uganda to return to the UAE.
The Emirates website said, “Dubai visa holders must apply for pre‑entry approval through General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).”
The GDRFA approval is one of the most important conditions for entry to the UAE.
GDRFA link to seek approval: https://smart.gdrfad.gov.ae/Smart_OTCServicesPortal/ReturnPermitService.aspx
These are the requirements for passengers travelling to Dubai:
Apart from the approval, all passengers must have a valid COVID 19 test certificate issued within 48 hours between the time of sample collection and scheduled flight departure.
The authorities have clarified that PCR test reports would only be accepted from certified labs in the native country.
The test must be carried out by an accredited laboratory with a QR code.
Before boarding, in addition to application, a Rapid PCR test is required, and upon arrival quarantine and PCR testing will be carried out.
Emiratis are exempted from the above requirements but subject to COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai.
The home Rapid PCR tests kit and other home testing kits are not accepted in Dubai.
Exemptions for non vaccinated passengers:
• Holders of golden and silver visas and diplomats.
• Healthcare workers including doctors, nurses and technicians.
• Education sector workers including professors, teachers and students studying in the UAE.
• Government employees.
• Exhibitors and participants who are under the sponsorship of EXPO 2020.