The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will open up tourist visa applications to everyone vaccinated with one of the shots approved by the World Health Organization, a potential boost to the country’s key tourism sector.

UAE TravelThe decision applies to citizens of all countries, including those arriving from previously banned nations, state-run WAM reported late this Saturday, 28 August. The move is part of the country’s strategy to support national efforts to achieve sustainable recovery and economic growth, the news agency said.

The new rules go into effect on Monday, 30 August. Passengers arriving on tourist visas must register their vaccination status on the government’s health app and undergo rapid testing at the airport, according to WAM.

Since scrapping arrivals from countries including India, Pakistan and Nigeria, the UAE has been gradually easing rules on travel. The country started to allow residents to return earlier this month. Cases have been steadily dropping in the UAE, which has also rolled out one of the fastest vaccination programmes in the world.

For COVID-19 updates in Qatar, visit moph.gov.qa.  

Source: bloomberg.com

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