The United Arab Emirates has decided to suspend entry for travelers coming from Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as part of efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus, the UAE's official news agency WAM said on Wednesday. The move, which will come into force at 11:59 p.m. on June 11 (Friday), on all flights of national and foreign carriers, as well as transit passengers coming from them, exempts transit flights coming to the country and heading to these countries. The ban is also applicable to all those who were in these countries in the past 14 days before coming to the UAE. However, UAE citizens and their first-degree relatives, and diplomats and staff working with UAE's missions in these countries can visit the country while adhering to all prescribed coronavirus precautionary measures. The exempted categories also include official delegations and businessmen, provided they obtain prior approval, as well as holders of golden and silver residency permits. Those who work in vital sectors based on the classification of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, and crews of foreign freight and transit planes are also allowed to enter the country provided if they carry a COVID-19 negative laboratory test done within 48 hours of the scheduled departure and they need to enter into quarantine until departure.
