Emirates has introduced COVID-19 screening in coordination with Dubai Health Authority.
The first passengers to be processed this way were flying to Tunisia. All were tested for COVID-19 before departing from Dubai. It marks Emirates as the first airline to conduct on-site rapid COVID-19 tests for passengers.
Testing at Dubai International Airport – Image, Emirates
The test is a quick blood test was conducted by the Dubai Health Authority, with the results available within 10 minutes. Tests were conducted at the Group Check-in area of Dubai International Airport Terminal 3.
Testing at Dubai International Airport – Image, Emirates
As well as this, the check-in area at Dubai International Terminal 3 has been adapted to embrace the social distancing measures, with protective barriers installed at each check-in desk for the safety of both employee and passengers.
For Emirates employees, gloves, masks and hand sanitises have been made a mandatory requirement for them. Meanwhile, passengers are required to wear their own masks when at the airport and onboard aircraft.
As discussed yesterday, Emirates has modified the onboard service, removing magazines and papers, adapting the meal service to reduce interaction and not allowing cabin baggage – with carry-on items limited to being a laptop, briefcase or baby items. All other items will need to be checked in, with the hand baggage allowance added on to the check-in allowance.
In Quotes
Adel Al Redha, Emirates Chief Operating Officer said:
“The testing process has gone smoothly and we would like to take this opportunity to thank the Dubai Health Authority for their initiatives and innovative solutions. This would have not been possible without the support of Dubai Airport and other government authorities. We are working on plans to scale up testing capabilities in the future and extend it to other flights, this will enable us to conduct on-site tests and provide immediate confirmation for Emirates passengers travelling to countries that require COVID-19 test certificates. The health and safety of staff and passengers at the airport remain of paramount importance.”
HE Humaid Al Qutami, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority, said:
“We are glad to work with Emirates on the successful implementation of rapid COVID-19 testing at the airport for departing travellers. To tackle COVID-19, we have been proactively working with various governmental organisations and the private health sector and we have implemented all necessary measures from public health protection to provision of high-quality health services in line with the latest international guidelines. We believe strongly that the most effective solutions require close partnerships with other public and private sector organisations.”
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