Can't wait to travel any more? Dubai is welcoming tourists with all safety measures in place

Tourists travelling to Dubai should be rest assured as their safety precautions are being taken care of by the city’s authorities.
Travellers who are planning to visit Dubai must undergo a Covid-19 PCR test before arriving at Dubai International airport (DXB), not more than 96 hours before the scheduled flight departure time, at a recognised testing centre.

The negative Covid-19 PCR test result must be presented in a printed certificate format by the traveller on arrival at DXB. The certificate must be in English or Arabic and it must not be handwritten.

Tourists departing from DXB should comply with the requirements of their destination, as some may ask for an additional negative Covid-19 PCR test certificate to be presented before leaving DXB.

Airport procedures
In order to maintain public safety and physical distancing requirements, all passengers departing from DXB are required to adhere to these guidelines:

• Only valid ticket holders will be allowed inside the terminal building.
• Arrive at the airport no more than four hours before departure time, and no less than two hours.
• Protective masks must be worn by all travellers.
• Passengers displaying Covid-symptoms are advised to not come to the airport and seek medical attention.

Safety measures
Precautionary measures have been implemented throughout Dubai airport to maintain the health and safety of travellers and staff. These measures include hand sanitiser stations around the airport, protective plexiglass at check-in and immigration counters, thermal and temperature screening, distance markers and sanitisation in compliance with standards set out by the local authorities.

SOPs at water parks
Water parks and pools are now open in Dubai, subject to strict safety guidelines. Water parks will limit their capacity to 50 per cent at this stage. Pool staff, trainers and visitors must wear a face shield or mask, but can remove it during the activity which require body and face submersion.

Pool users should maintain two metres of social distancing inside and outside the pool.

Swimming pools should maintain the hygiene and sanitisation requirements as per Dubai Municipality guidelines.

SOPs at hotels
Hotels are now open and continue to carry out rigorous sterilisation and disinfection procedures.

Front office staff must follow stringent protocols of health and safety as issued by Dubai Municipality and Dubai Tourism. There are guidelines for disinfection, lobby rules, laundry, room service, check-ins and check-outs by visitors.

Online and contactless in-room check-in/check-out is recommended where hotels have e-commerce capabilities. In the event of any rooms occupied by ‘suspected cases’ or ‘front-line guests’, additional sterilisation requirements mandated by authorities must be adhered to.

SOPs at shopping malls Malls should have separate doors for entrance and exit and all doors should be open. Increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfection during the re-opening phase by focusing on the following:

• Information areas a nd washrooms
• Elevator switches / buttons /escalator handrails
•Shopping carts
• Tools displayed in shops, including jewellery

All staff and visitors should have their temperature screened and wear face masks when entering a mall. Retail stores should promote smart payment options, elevators to have social distancing of two metres and no testing is allowed for personal care.