Qatar on Wednesday relaxed restrictions aimed at controlling the novel coronavirus, allowing citizens and permanent residency holders to travel outside the country and return at any time, and residents outside the country to return starting Aug. 1.

The government communications office (GCO) said arrivals from low-risk countries are required to take a coronavirus test at the airport and sign a formal pledge to adhere to quarantine at home for a week, state news agency (QNA) reported on its twitter account, citing a statement from GCO.

GCO said the list of low-risk countries will be published on the Ministry of Public Health’s website and will be reviewed every two weeks.

Travellers from low-risk countries who have obtained COVID-free certificates from an accredited testing centre within 48 hours of travelling will not have to take a test at the airport.

The measures come as the third phase of a four-phase plan to lift coronavirus restrictions starts at the beginning of August.

Qatar has reported 10,7430 coronavirus cases so far, with 160 deaths and 10,4191 recovered.

Source; https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001379685/qatar-allows-citizens-permanent-residents-to-travel-and-return-anytime

 

The UAE has announced that COVID-19 test will be mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers arriving via the country’s airports, irrespective of the countries they are coming from. Children under the age of 12 and those with severe and moderate disabilities will be exempted from the test requirement, which has 96 hours of validity from the date of testing. The decision will come into effect on August 1, UAE Embassy to Azerbaijan told APA. 

The decision to require PCR tests for all passengers reflects the UAE’s determination to establish safe and responsible travel measures, which will protect both passengers and the aviation industry for the duration of the pandemic. These measures have been introduced following extensive consultations between industry leaders, governments, and health authorities. Although not all risks can be avoided, these measures are designed to mitigate risks as much as scientifically possible.

As a leading transport hub, the UAE is determined to play its part in restoring safe global travel and connectivity. With one of the world’s highest testing rates, a low caseload, and stringent health protocols in place, the UAE is one of the safest countries in the world to visit.

Source: https://apa.az/en/foreign-news/UAE-announces-mandatory-PCR-test-for-all-airport-arrivals-326468

In a unique offer, Dubai’s Emirates airline will now cover medical expenses of up to 150,000 euros (Dh638,363) and quarantine costs of 100 euros (Dh425.5) per day for 14 days for passengers should they be diagnosed with Covid-19 during their travel while they are away from home.

This service is free of cost to the customers.

This cover for Covid-19 related medical expenses and quarantine costs is offered by Emirates free of cost to its customers regardless of class of travel or destination. This cover is immediately effective for customers flying on Emirates until October 31, 2020 (first flight to be completed on or before October 31, 2020). It is valid for 31 days from the moment they fly the first sector of their journey. This means Emirates customers can continue to benefit from the added assurance of this cover, even if they travel onwards to another city after arriving at their Emirates destination.

Customers do not need to register or fill in any forms before they travel, and they are not obligated to utilise this cover provided by Emirates.

Any impacted customer who has been diagnosed with Covid-19 during their travel simply has to contact a dedicated hotline to avail of assistance and cover.

The hotline number, and details of what Covid-19 related expenses are covered, is available on www.emirates.com/COVID19assistance.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Group chairman and chief executive said: “Under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Emirates is proud to lead the way in boosting confidence for international travel. We know people are yearning to fly as borders around the world gradually re-open, but they are seeking flexibility and assurances should something unforeseen happen during their travel.”

He added: “Emirates has worked hard to put in place measures at every step of the customer journey to mitigate risk of infection, and we have also revamped our booking policies to offer flexibility. We are now taking it to the next level, by being the first in the industry to offer our customers free global cover for Covid-19 medical expenses and quarantine costs should they incur these costs during their travel. It is an investment on our part, but we are putting our customers first, and we believe they will welcome this initiative.”

Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/coronavirus-pandemic/emirates-to-offer-free-cover-of-covid-19-medical-costs-for-passengers-

Passengers arriving on late-night international flights will be exempted from the nationwide 9 pm-4 am curfew which is aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

The Transport ministry said the exemption would enable airlines to operate smoothly at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) without the inconvenience of the lockdown rule.

“International passengers will be exempted from restrictions on movement past curfew hours when the international flights resume,” the ministry said.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on July 6 announced a phased reopening of the country from a Covid-19 lockdown, lifting restrictions on travel in and out of the capital Nairobi and Mombasa and allowing air travel to resume.

The easing out saw domestic commercial and passenger flights restart on July 15, while international travel is scheduled to resume from August 1.

Airlines have nonetheless had to restrict their domestic flight schedules in adherence to the curfew hours—affecting the frequency of services.

This doesn’t augur well for most of the international flights which arrive into the country late-night, especially those from Europe and the Middle East.

Transport Cabinet secretary James Macharia last week also exempted passengers and tourists arriving in the country from mandatory quarantine if they do not show any symptoms of Covid-19.

“All passengers shall be exempted from quarantine on arrival at their destinations if their body temperatures are not above 37.5 degrees Celsius and they do not have a persistent cough, difficulty in breathing and other flu-like symptoms,” Mr Macharia said last week.

The decision is part of a strategy aimed at restoring Kenya’s economy, which has been hit hard by Covid-19, slowing to 2.5 percent growth this year from 5.4 percent previously. Tourism alone, which is one of the key pillars of the economy, incurred losses amounting to Sh85 billion.

The government protocols on commercial air transport released last month require the aviation players to adhere to the highest level of safety for customers and staff.

The rules cover all transport sectors, including the standard gauge railway (SGR) passenger service, which resumed last week. The passenger train currently makes a single return trip from Nairobi to Mombasa at half passenger capacity, with the afternoon train to Nairobi arriving at 6 p.m. in order to beat the curfew hours.

Africa Star Railway Operation Company (Afristar), which operates the SGR, said it had deployed 10 coaches, including eight economy and two first-class, to ferry passengers between Nairobi and Mombasa. One coach had been set aside to cater to suspected Covid-19 cases.

In normal times, Afristar deployed two trains from Nairobi to Mombasa and the same number for the return trip every day. The SGR passenger service, also known as Madaraka Express, was launched on May 31, 2017.

Freight services on the SGR were, however, not interrupted by the pandemic.

Source: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/economy/International-air-passengers-exempted-curfew/3946234-5597666-12k6i8q/index.html