Entering DUBAI during COVID-19: What does it look like to arrive in Dubai during the pandemic?

IMPORTANT:
As the situation remains dynamic, always refer to the most updated information before your travel. Here is the link for the COVID-19 travel advisory at the Emirates website: https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/help/travel-updates/#3526


Special credit to my avgeek and planespotter friends who provided some of the meaningful footage you see on the video:

01:58 – Take off from Heathrow by planespotter Ethan @aviation_ethan
(https://www.instagram.com/aviation_ethan/)
02:04 – Cruising over Germany by planespotter Julia Muller @planespotterin.dus
(https://www.instagram.com/planespotterin.dus/)
03:13 – Landing at Dubai airport by fellow avgeek Ibrahim Alshamsi @ibrahimalshamsii
(https://www.instagram.com/ibrahimalshamsii/)

What does it look like to arrive in Dubai during COVID-19?


In this week’s video we are actually coming back from the trip that we went together last week. If you didn’t watch it, you can see it right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhYCsM020GU&t=83s


This video reflects the travel experience on 15th of July 2020 from London Heathrow to Dubai, the first Emirates A380 flight out of Heathrow since lockdown.


We are flying back to Dubai and I’m going to show you not only the flight experience but how does it look like to arrive in Dubai airport and go through all the COVID-19 procedures.


You asked for a review of economy class during the pandemic and hence I booked my return in emirates economy class this time.


Here is a summary of the steps I went through on this flight:

1) Hygiene kit: every passenger on an Emirates flight these days receives a hygiene kit containing a 4-ply mask, gloves, sanitizing wipes and sanitizing gel

2) Health declaration form: all passengers are required to fill in a health declaration form, which also outlines the rules and regulations for arrival as well as during the stay (refer to the link above for the most up to date information)


3) Upon arrival, desks have been added immediately prior to immigration. The agent verifies that you have all the required documents (ie. passport / emirates ID / health declaration form / resident permit to enter the UAE) and enters the information into the system. A PCR test kit is provided with a label which carries your name and a tracking number. Once you receive the items, you proceed to immigration normally

4) After immigration and hand luggage scanning, there is another check point where they verify that you had both the PCR testing kit as well as the health declaration form


5) The next step is to undergo the PCR test. A set of booths has been set up in the luggage claim area and a nurse conducts the nasal swabs utilizing the labeled kit you have been given

6) Once your test is completed, you receive a sticker on your passport “PH” and that is how you are granted clearance to proceed to the luggage belts before leaving the airport


7) All passengers awaiting a COVID-19 test result must remain in isolation (at home at a hotel) until the results are out. My results took 22 hours to be ready from the time of the swab collection (1am on 16/07/20) to when I received the SMS from Dubai Health Authority DHA (10:59pm on 16/07/20). Once you receive the negative results, you are free to leave isolation and enjoy Dubai, following all the precautionary measures the city has defined (use of masks in all public spaces and respecting social distancing guidelines).


The entire process from landing until leaving the airport took me approximately 90 minutes, including all my instagram distractions and a stop at Dubai Duty Free. Hence I believe that this is a realistic estimate for anyone arriving in Dubai these days.


This experience once again reassured my confidence in going back to the sky. From my business class review last week, I think Emirates delivered on the 3 points: Physical Safety, Emotional Safety and Value for Money – the last two being higher in Economy class than in Business class.


Special thanks to all the EK2 Economy crew on 15/07/20 - You really made my day!

Видео Entering DUBAI during COVID-19: What does it look like to arrive in Dubai during the pandemic? канала Freakwent Flyer