UAE extends ban on travellers from Pakistan until July 21

Cargo flights, as well as business and charter flights, would be exempted from the restrictions, says notification

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has extended the travel ban on passengers from Pakistan and other 13 countries until at least July 21, Khaleej Times reported.

UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority, in a notice issued to Airmen (NOTAM), said flights from Pakistan and 13 other countries, including Liberia, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic Of Congo, Uganda, Zambia, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and South Africa, will remain suspended until 23:59 hrs of July 21, 2021.

"Cargo flights, as well as business and charter flights, would be exempted from the restrictions," the notification added.

The UAE had first announced the suspension of entry for travellers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka on national and foreign flights on May 12.

Read more: UAE airline extends ban on ‘travellers from Pakistan until July 7’

On June 19, Dubai had said that an entry ban on those who in the past 14 days had visited India, Nigeria and South Africa would ease from June 23.

Under the changes, entry would be permitted to UAE residents in India who were fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, anyone in South Africa who was fully vaccinated and those in Nigeria who had tested negative for coronavirus in the past 48 hours.

A GCAA representative on Sunday said those travelling from India were still banned from entering the UAE but deferred further comment to the Dubai government. Dubai's media office did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Also read: UAE ban on entry from India unchanged, federal aviation notice says

Dubai's Emirates airline said on Twitter flights from India were available from July 7 but cautioned that could change.

"We're waiting for the exact travel protocols and guidelines before we can resume."

Indians represent one of the UAE's largest residential communities and are the biggest source market for tourists.

Dubai reopened its borders to foreign visitors in July, while Abu Dhabi requires arrivals from most countries to quarantine.

A national ban on entry from India began in April as India faced a surge in coronavirus infections.

Certain individuals, such as UAE citizens and diplomats, have been exempted from entry bans.

(With additional input from Reuters)