Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The UAE Aviation sector said that airports across the country conducted 2,700,000 COVID-19 tests for on arrivals since the start of International flights.  

The UAE implemented mechanisms and protocols for gradual safe operation. Focusing on providing basics like medications, medical supplies and food. It also established air bridges to facilitate the return of citizens and the smooth return of expats to their countries.

Ismail Mohammed Al Balooshi, Official Spokesperson of UAE aviation sector said that to contain the pandemic and resume flights, the UAE developed protocols to ease flights’ return with precautionary measures to prevent spreading during travel.

These protocols were circulated to all national and foreign carriers and airports in the country.

Al Balooshi said, “To ensure that travellers entering the country are COVID-19 free, health authorities established compulsory procedures like pre-testing, testing upon arrival, and home or institutional quarantine, as per a mechanism for assessing the epidemiological situation.

“More than 2,700,000 tests for arrivals have been conducted since restarting flights. The total rate of positive results is 0.7%. More than 70% of front-line workers in the aviation sector were vaccinated, to ensure their safety and the safety of travellers.”

The General Civil Aviation Authority launched the first mobile centre in the world for civil aviation medical services, as one of the most prominent achievements following the COVID-19 pandemic, due to its provision of medical services and lab and clinical tests.

The aviation sector played an active role in facing the pandemic, transporting about 2.7 million tonnes of goods around the world including medical and vital supplies and food. Our national carriers transported more than 38.7 million passengers to more than 140 destinations worldwide.

Al Balooshi said, “Noting that all the measures taken by the UAE came in the context of the requirements and recommendations of the International Community, including, World Health Organisation, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) & International Air Transport Association.

“The country worked with organizations of the international community to create a balanced work system and set safe travel procedures.”

The WHO has stated that there is no "zero risk" rate when looking to allow travel between countries. Therefore, a comprehensive and continuous risk assessment is undertaken to identify and reduce those risks.

“The decision-making process includes situational analysis, taking into account the local situation in countries of departure and countries of destination,” Al Balooshi said.

In addition to balancing the social and economic consequences of travel measures or temporary restrictions with the potentially harmful consequences on public health.

Al Balooshi said, “The balanced path that the UAE followed led to allowing the safe return of aviation, which a main pillar for the society and economy.

“A great success was achieved thanks to the efforts made by the concerned authorities, starting with our first line of defense, to handle the pandemic, in conjunction with the wide testing effort, using the best and latest testing methods & isolating infected cases and contacts.

“All accredited centers in the #UAE regularly undergo strict quality checks, and impose severe penalties for non-compliance with international standards, to ensure the highest quality standards in the tests.”