A travel guide to the 16 countries on Abu Dhabi’s ‘green’ list: You will no longer need to quarantine when you return from these destinations, but here are the rules when you arrive at the other end
Abu Dhabi will welcome back international visitors from Thursday, December 24.
The Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Disasters Committee has announced that travellers arriving from 16 “green” countries will not be required to quarantine upon arrival in Abu Dhabi. Instead, they must take a PCR test when they land and self-isolate until they receive a negative result. Follow-up PCR tests are then required on the sixth and twelfth days after arriving in Abu Dhabi.
While this opens up opportunities to travel to these destinations, since you will no longer have to quarantine when you get back home, many of the countries on the list still have stringent travel restrictions in place. Here’s a guide:
Australia
Etihad Airways is currently operating flights from Abu Dhabi to Melbourne and Sydney, although high demand means that flights to both destinations are almost completely sold out until the end of January.
At present, Australia’s borders are only open to citizens, residents, immediate family members and travellers who have been in New Zealand for the previous 14 days. Anyone arriving in Australia by either air or sea will need to go into government-approved mandatory quarantine for 14 days.
Brunei
At present, foreign nationals are only being allowed into Brunei for essential business travel or other exceptional reasons, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All visitors arriving in Brunei require approval from the government and must undergo a self-isolation period of between 2 and 14 days. Proof of a valid hotel booking for at least six days starting from the date of arrival is also required. There are currently no direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Brunei.
While China is slowly opening up to tourism and Etihad is operating direct flights to Shanghai and Beijing, the country still has a mandatory 14-day quarantine in place for all foreign nationals entering the country. This can be completed at a government-selected facility or a hotel, at the traveller’s own expense. A negative PCR test is required on arrival and health screening procedures are in place at airports.
Domestic travel is allowed, although visitors have to wear masks, download health-tracking apps on their phones and provide personal contact information in order to move about in the country, access tourist sites or use public transport. Certain cities and provinces within China may also require additional quarantine periods for domestic travellers.
Greece
Permanent residents of the UAE can travel to Greece but must arrive on a direct flight from the UAE. Etihad has suspended its flights to Athens until Friday, January 15.
Greece has implemented a nation-wide lockdown until Thursday, January 7, with a curfew in place between 9pm and 5am. Schools, restaurants, bars, courts and ski resorts will remain closed until that date. In addition, all travellers entering Greece until January 7 will be required to self-isolate, at their home or a hotel, for three days. All arrivals will need to show proof of a negative PCR test, taken within 72 hours before travel. A further test will be carried out upon arrival, with results expected within 24 hours.
All passengers will also need to fill in a Passenger Location Form the day before entering the country, providing detailed information about their point of departure and their address during their stay in Greece. Failure to fill in the form could result in your carrier not allowing you to board, a €500 ($609) fine or Greek authorities preventing you from entering the country. The form can be found on the Visit Greece app or www.travel.gov.gr. Once in Greece, domestic flights are only available for essential travel.
Greenland
Residents of the UAE are currently banned from entering both Greenland and Denmark.
Hong Kong
Non-Hong Kong residents are currently being denied entry into the country.
Malaysia
Foreign visitors are not allowed entry to Malaysia until Thursday, December 31, and this restriction may be subject to extension by the government.
Mauritius
Mauritian nationals, residents and tourists travelling for long stays are allowed entry into the island nation, but visitors must complete a 14-day mandatory in-room quarantine at a hotel of their choice.
All visitors are required to take a PCR test up to seven days before departure, and they must have confirmed accommodation for the duration of their stay, as well as completed passenger health declaration and locator forms.
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Arriving passengers will have to undergo a PCR test at the airport on the day of arrival and then again after seven and 14 days. If they test positive for Covid‑19, they will be transferred to a public medical institution for treatment.
New Zealand
The New Zealand border is currently closed to almost all travellers, to help stop the spread of Covid-19. The only people allowed to enter the country are New Zealand citizens and permanent resident visa holders; the partner or dependent child of a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident; a diplomat who holds a post in New Zealand; and Australian citizens or permanent residents ordinarily resident in New Zealand.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has suspended all international flights indefinitely to help combat the spread of Covid-19, and Etihad has stopped all passenger services between Abu Dhabi and Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh until further notice. The status of this suspension is under regular review by Saudi’s ministry of interior. In exceptional circumstances, arrangements are being made for citizens and residents to return to Saudi Arabia during this period, with a 14-day quarantine on arrival. National Mathematics Day: National Mathematics Day is celebrated on this day every year, know its history and importance
Singapore
Etihad is currently flying to Singapore, but all passengers, except citizens and permanent residents, must apply for entry approval from relevant government agencies. All inbound travellers will be required to take a PCR test up to 72 hours before departure and will need to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
Taiwan
All passengers must undergo quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Taiwan. Foreign visitors must also present a negative PCR test, issued within three working days of departure.
Tajikistan
The government of Tajikistan has imposed temporary restrictions on the entry of all foreign nationals through all checkpoints into Tajikistan. Any travellers entering are currently being quarantined in state-run facilities for 14 days.
Thailand
The Thai government recently lifted restrictions on its Special Tourist Visa, which allows entry for tourists from any country in the world. In addition, visa exemptions have been reactivated for eligible passport holders from 56 countries, including the UAE, for a stay of between 30 and 90 days.
A 14-day mandatory quarantine is still in place, but the Thai Tourism Authority has launched a series of Amazing Thailand Plus packages, which include special fares on international and domestic flights, rooms at government-accredited Alternative State Quarantine hotels, and post-quarantine tours or transfers. Offers are valid until March.
However, a new record cluster of infections in Samut Sakhon province means the government is currently considering lockdowns in other parts of the country.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is welcoming a limited number of international flights. From Friday, December 25, all individuals arriving at airports, railway stations and border checkpoints in the country will undergo express testing, at the expense of the traveller. Even those who have proof of a previous PCR test must submit to the new procedures. While in the country, visitors must wear a face mask while in public, or be subject to fines.
Vietnam
There are very strict limitations on who can enter Vietnam at this time, with only diplomats, specialists, highly skilled workers and business travellers currently allowed. All visitors are required to take a PCR test before departure, quarantine for 14 days and have medical insurance for the duration of their stay. All visitors to Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, and Hanoi are required to wear masks in public and may be fined for failure to comply.
