Covid cases in India, are at its highest ever, and several countries across the globe have closed borders for tourists from India. Initially, the UAE banned flights from India for 10 days- starting 24 April to 4 May 2021. However, the General Civil Aviation Authority and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Emergency Management Authority announced the suspension of entry for travellers from India would be extended. An end date for this suspension has not been announced as of now.
Expats Plead UAE Authorities To Open Borders & Permit Inbound Flights
Thousands of expats who had been to their home country are stranded, unable to return to their second home. The ban has severely impacted stranded expats emotionally and financially. As per the rule, the GCAA affirmed that UAE nationals, diplomatic passport holders, official delegations, business flights, and golden residence holders can travel back to the UAE. However, in the event of them travelling, all passengers must follow a 10-day quarantine, undergo a PCR test at the airport as well as another test on the fourth and eighth days of entering the country. The test results will only be accepted from authorised labs which generate a QR code.
ut now, stranded Indians are desperate to head back to the UAE, pleading authorities to open doors to their second home. Expats in India are now using the hashtag #IndiatoUAE to express their plight over the India-UAE travel ban. A few expats took to Twitter and pleaded the UAE to permit at least vaccinated expats to enter the country.
https://twitter.com/niaz_nia/status/1394896544747372549
#IndiatoUAE Request UAE govt to help indians who are stranded in India due to current travel ban to return back to UAE
— Chandan Rateria (@my_self_chandan) May 19, 2021
A few others cried out about staying away from families in UAE. The travel ban has also separated a lot of kids from their parents. Ever since the ban came into effective, thousands of expats stuck in India are considering other options to head back. The demand for private jet bookings have peaked over the last few days, according to agent and operators. Expats stranded in India are willing to spend anything between AED 13,000 – AED 16,000, per ticket to get back to the UAE. Those who can afford it are also outsourcing private 13-seater and 6-seater jets, shelling out around AED113,869 – AED139,581 ($31,000-$38,000).