As Dubai, one of the most sought after destinations for India outbound, readies to open for tourists from July 7, 2020, BOTT India brings to you an exclusive insight into all the preparations and necessary precautions and guidelines being followed to keep the spread of the pandemic at bay. Here’s a look at what the DTCM Spokesperson has to say –
How severely was the tourist traffic affected between India and Dubai in the last 3 months?
Due to the current pandemic borders have been closed internationally, which includes tourism between Dubai and India.
Now that Dubai is opening its doors, what kind of precautions are being taken, especially at the crowded places to help prevent the spread of pandemic?
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) alongside other relevant authorities continue to prioritize, monitor, and assure the safety and the well-being of all visitors to and residents of Dubai as the utmost priority. As a destination, the city adopts the highest international health and safety standards, enabling it to ensure the well-being of all visitors remains the highest priority. Everyone must observe physical distancing guidelines and abide by the instructions and preventive measures outlined by concerned authorities, for example wearing masks and washing hands regularly. All leisure, entertainment and family attractions will follow strict hygiene and sanitization measures as well as implemented temperature checks to ensure the safety of guests.
Dubai is best known for its Malls and Hotels / Resorts… Any special screenings / procedures in place to keep a tab on the positive cases?
Visitors will be guided to have temperature checks at entrances to malls and resorts and will be required to wear masks as a condition for entering. Malls and attractions are also required to make sterilizers widely available to ensure the highest level of protection for visitors and workers. In addition, retail outlets and attractions are required to specify the maximum number of guests at their entrance, to ensure social distancing is implemented as a precautionary measure and all are to adhere to the safety guidelines issued by Dubai Municipality and Dubai Tourism.
Please see the following link where Dubai Tourism’s CEO, Issam Kazim shares the latest safety measures: https://we.tl/t-uQw4CaxqzS
In case a Hotel comes across a COVID Positive case, or if a person is / found positive at the Airport, what would be the course of action?
Strict compliance with the procedures set out for positive cases by the COVID-19 Command and Control Centre, including institutional quarantine (designated hotels), home quarantine or hospitalisation. A 14-day quarantine is imposed for all positive COVID-19 cases.
Is there any change in the Visa rules?
Tourists and visitors are welcomed back to Dubai from 7 July 2020 onwards, according to Dubai airports’ official flight schedules and subject to airports being operational at their departure destinations. For all the visa related information tourists are being guided to The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/form/contact-us and advised to check their country’s travel advisory for latest guidance on outbound trips.
