(REUTERS): The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will bar travellers from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka starting from May 12 (Wednesday) as part of measures to contain the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Flights between the four countries will continue to allow the transport of passengers from the UAE to Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka,” UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority said on Monday.
The authority also extended the suspension of entry for travellers who were in these four countries in the 14-day period prior to arrival in the UAE. The ban includes transit flights coming from those countries. However, transit flights to those countries can continue.
“Exempted travelers, including UAE citizens, those on diplomatic missions, official delegations, those travelling on business planes, and golden residence holders, will be subject to precautionary measures that include a 10-day quarantine and PCR testing at the airport,” it added.
The UAE last month banned entry to travellers from India to guard against the spread of the highly contagious Indian variant. A growing number of countries have banned travel from India as the country is ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australia also warned that people who tried to flout the travel ban could face jail and fines. Other countries, including Canada, United Kingdom and Iran have banned travel from both India and Pakistan.
