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Home » United Arab Emirates » Why Dubai May Be Very Crowded This Summer
NewsUnited Arab Emirates

Why Dubai May Be Very Crowded This Summer

Matthew Klint Posted onJuly 2, 2020July 2, 2020 13 Comments

UAE Tourism Summer 2020

For citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hoping to escape the summer heat, air conditioning is likely going to be the only choice for the summer 2020 months. Government officials have barred citizens and residents from leaving the country for vacation. Meanwhile, foreign tourism will resume next week.

UAE Tourism Summer 2020: UAE Citizens + Residents Not Permitted To Leave

Citing heightened health risks at home and aboard, the United Arab Emirates has told citizens and permanent residents that they cannot leave the country for holidaymaking. The move marks a sharp escalation from the previous (already burdensome) policy of requiring permission from the government to return.

Speaking at a virtual news conference on behalf of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), Saif Al-Dhaheri said:

“Essential travel is permitted … but will be assessed on a case by case basis according to risk levels.”

There are still exceptions for those who can leave:

  • Study
  • Medical treatment
  • Diplomatic missions
  • Business (a potentially broad loophole)
  • Residents who want to visit or return to their home countries
  • Diplomats and governments employees on official business

All those wishing to leave will need to submit supporting documentation and obtain permission from the government.

UAE Tourism Summer 2020: Foreign Tourists Will Be Welcome, With A Valid Test

Per Paddle Your Own Kanoo, Starting July 7, 2020, tourists will again be welcomed to the UAE, though entry will be subject to COVID-19 testing. Travelers will have two options to gain entry:

  • Arrive in the UAE with a negative COVID-19 test certificate dated within four days of travel
  • Testing on arrival

Note those who choose testing upon arrival will be responsible for all quarantine and medical treatment costs if they test positive.

Every tourist will be subject to mandatory tracing by the UAE government on a mobile phone tracing app.

CONCLUSION

Tourists will soon be welcomed in the UAE, but locals won’t be able to leave on holiday. It’s a bit draconian for my liberty-loving worldview, but perhaps a better option path than letting the virus spiral out of control.

Any plans to travel to or through the UAE this month?

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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13 Comments

  1. Aaron Reply
    July 2, 2020 at 7:15 am

    “has told citizens and permanent residents that it cannot leave the country”

    They, not it.

    “than letting the viral spiral out of control.”

    Virus, not viral.

    As per the topic, summer isn’t really much of a time for tourists, is it? It’s too hot to do anything, despite how much cheaper it might be to visit. The only people who may take advantage of it are people transiting at Dubai airport who have extremely long layovers. But Dubai really isn’t much of a summer tourist destination (the peak months are usually November to April).

  2. Trevor Reply
    July 2, 2020 at 8:02 am

    Taken from Emirates Airlines website;

    “Dubai residents planning to travel out of Dubai;

    Passengers must be aware of and meet the travel requirements of the country they are travelling to.
    Residents do not need a COVID-19 test or Dubai government approval to leave Dubai.”

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      July 2, 2020 at 10:34 am

      EK website is out of date according to the the health ministry announcement yesterday.

      • Lee Williams Reply
        July 2, 2020 at 6:32 pm

        I thought it was for UAE, Dubai has it’s own separate crisis authority and immigration service. They have different procedures/requirements.

      • Robert Tullberg Reply
        July 3, 2020 at 12:09 pm

        I agree with Matthew, I also read EK today but the rules here are very confusing. They change from one day to the next. Faster than EK can even update the changes. How is it possible to do any planning?

      • Tbal Reply
        July 3, 2020 at 3:06 pm

        It might sound confusing, but Trevor and Lee ARE indeed correct.
        The rules and regulations with regards to travel, tourists etc. are different in Dubai than in the rest of UAE. That’s why there are e.g.movement restrictions between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

        The EK website is not out of date, but referring to the regulations in DUBAI only.

        For returning residents, the approval process is quite different. As a resident with a Dubai issued visa and flying into DXB, it will be handled by Dubai authorities, returning to Abu Dhabi will require an application via the Federal authorities, which will take longer with paperwork required.

      • Salma Massoud Reply
        July 3, 2020 at 7:54 pm

        Anyone traveling out of abu-dhabi or sharjah need a permit those traveling from dubai don’t. I just hung up with emirates airlines and they confirmed this.

        • Alexandre Reply
          July 22, 2020 at 1:30 pm

          Which city you travel in and out of does not matter. What matters is the emirate of residence. I live in Dubai and intend on flying out of Dubai with Emirates, but my residence visa is from RAK. As such, I need an entry permit.

  3. Heather Reply
    July 2, 2020 at 9:24 am

    We had a trip planned for July 3-7 on our way to South Africa and Botswana. The Southern Africa trip is booked for 2021 and we hope to stay in UAE on the way. While it was necessary to reschedule, we are disappointed as we were really looking forward to our stop over.

  4. Surfer Reply
    July 2, 2020 at 11:52 am

    Mobile tracing doesn’t work. It assumes everyone has a smartphone and you can just leave your phone at home and buy a burner.

    Korea has the same thing forcing them to hunt people down but with limited resources it doesn’t really work.

    • Ak Reply
      July 2, 2020 at 2:12 pm

      Dubai will not get busy this summer. Nothing travel related will be this summer, except local destinations like national parks. A 1,000 pound gorilla is not offset by Bubbles the Chimp.

      Expect “health protocols” to sow more confusion and anxiety than encouragement to travel.

      It’s a pandemic. It does what it does. Bars, leisure travel, music concerts – they just don’t make sense during a pandemic. Disagree? Let’s see what the numbers show in the next six months.

  5. Chris Reply
    July 4, 2020 at 12:33 am

    This is old news as it was announced Friday night anyone can travel out for holidays!

    • Alex Reply
      July 21, 2020 at 6:34 am

      Hi Chris, when you say anyone can travel, do you mean Dubai residents, or residents from Abu Dhabi and other Emirates as well?

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