A health official monitors passengers at the Dubai Airport. File

In a latest travel advisory issued for Indian passengers flying to Dubai, the authorities have warned Indians not conduct a COVID-19 RT PCR test from seven laboratories in India.

It was also learned that some Indian passengers were stopped at the airport based on the COVID-19 test results. 

Air India Express on its Twitter account issued the warning.

The airline said, “#FlyWithIX : Attention passengers traveling to Dubai!...”

It posted the list of labs.

It reads, “As per Dubai Civil Aviation Authorities, RT-PCR test done from the laboratories listed will not be accepted."

• Suryam Lab in Jaipur
• Dr P. Bhasin Pathlabs Pvt Ltd in Delhi
• Aza Diagnostic Centre
• AARA Clinical Laboratories
• Microhealth Lab in the cities Kerala
• Noble Diagnostic Centre in Dubai
• 360 Diagnostic & Health Services

Recently, hundreds of Pakistanis and Indians were stranded at Dubai Airport due to lack of travel documents.

However, the consulates of the respective countries sorted the issue and helped them fly back home.    

On the other hand, Hardeep Singh Puri, India’s Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Civil Aviation said on Twitter, “With international travel of more than 2.85 million people facilitated till now under Vande Bharat Mission and more than 15 million domestic travellers, India's civil aviation sector flies high.

“Phase-7 of VBM begins 29 Oct with more destinations, flights & bubble arrangements.”

Travel to Dubai for tourism was permitted from July 7, 2020 and the city is now welcoming tourists from around the world once again.

Guidelines for travel are as follows:

- All tourists must carry out a COVID-19 PCR test before arriving into DXB, no more than 96hrs before their scheduled flight departure time, at an officially recognised testing centre.

- The negative COVID-19 PCR test result must be presented in printed certificate format by the traveller on arrival to DXB. The certificate must be in English or Arabic only. No handwritten certificates will be permitted.

- Tourists with valid visa or visa on arrival do not require pre-approvals to travel to DXB.

- All tourists departing from DXB are advised to follow the requirements of their final destination, as some may require an additional negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate to be presented before leaving DXB.

- Children under the age of 12 and passengers with moderate to severe disabilities are exempt from PCR test requirements

- Passengers travelling from one of the destinations/countries listed below are required to complete another PCR test upon arrival in DXB.

- On arrival to DXB, tourists must complete the travel undertaking form provided by your airline before landing and download and register on the COVID-19 DXB Smart App.