Even though passenger services from India to the UAE have been suspended since April 24 on account of the COVID-19 situation, desperate NRIs continue to use charter flights to reach the Gulf state.
This has continued even as the UAE has sought to tighten regulations on unrestricted use of charter services, by barring selling of seats individually.
On Monday, the Khaleej Times reported that the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority issued new safety protocols for persons arriving on charter flights. "The measures include mandatory tracking devices that passengers must wear for at least 10 days," the Khaleej Times reported.
"The stringent regulations apply to all aircraft operators conducting flights from and to the UAE and the following countries: Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Uganda, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Zambia," the Khaleej Times reported. The publication quoted travel agencies and charter flight operators as saying wristband trackers have been provided to passengers arriving in Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. This was confirmed by an executive of Musafir.com, a travel agency, who told Khaleej Times passengers arriving in Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah were asked to wear wristbands. The officials said people arriving in Dubai had to be in quarantine for 10 days and undergo a series of PCR tests.
In addition to wearing the wristband, the passengers are required to take PCR tests on arrival and on the fourth and eight days of their 10-day quarantine period. The passengers are only allowed to move from the airport to their quarantine hotel.
On Monday, The Times of India quoted a charter services operator as claiming the UAE had allowed entry to those people from India who held 'silver' residency permits in the country. Earlier, only UAE nationals, diplomats and golden visa holders were allowed entry. The operator claimed such silver residency permit holders would need to wear wristband trackers. However, the entry exemption for silver residency permit holders has not been confirmed by the UAE media or airlines.
15/06/21 The Week
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