The UAE government has taken swift actions ahead of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) being declared as a global pandemic, making the country more than able to support the needs of the nation and all its residents. In fact, the UAE is now the global leader in terms of the number of people—127,000—tested for COVID-19 as of March 17.
The wise leadership is also confident that all hospitals in the country are well-prepared and well-equipped for any recent development, as highly-qualified medical staff are ready to serve on their posts. And as a tribute to the lifeline of public health—the medical frontliners, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the #ThankYouHeroes campaign for them. In a heartfelt message, His Highness said: “You are fulfilling a great national duty of saving the lives of our citizens and our residents.” Reaffirming that the entire country is behind them, His Highness added: “You are not alone. Your mission is great, but our determination is even greater. May God safeguard you and our people. Wishing health and prosperity for our country and the world.”
Meanwhile, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, reassured the public that there is nothing to fear. His highness said: “I’d like to reassure every citizen and resident of the UAE that our country is infinitely able to supply everyone with all the food and medicine they could ever need.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed also said that the manageable number of COVID-19 cases in the UAE is credited to the government’s early response.
Part of the UAE’s preventive and proactive response are the government’s unified guidelines for all citizens and residents.
The Filipino Times brings you all the knowledge on these protocols to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Q: Can I still fly to and from the UAE?
A: The UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) have issued a joint statement that all inbound and outbound passenger flights and the transit of airline passengers are currently suspended in the UAE for two weeks as part of the precautionary measures taken to curb the spread of the COVID-19.
However, residents may go to the website ‘Tawajudi for Residents’ Services to Tawajudi residents to input the details of their current situation to ensure their safe return in the UAE, especially during times of emergency. The website is part of the assistance of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for residents affected by this new regulation.
Q: Can I refund my ticket?
A: It depends on your airline.
Cebu Pacific: The airline accepts rebooking or a full refund for passengers.
Passengers with confirmed flights between March 15 to April 14 the lockdown period in Luzon should visit to manage their booking. Here are their options:
1. Free Rebooking – Rebook flights with change fees and fare difference waived.
2. Travel Fund – Place the full cost of the ticket in a Travel Fund which can then be used as payment for a future booking. The Travel Fund is valid for 180 days and can be used for bookings as far as 12 months out.
3. Full refund – depending on the mode of payment
a. Cash: claim at the ticket office of Cebu Pacific
b. Debit card o credit card: to be returned to your account after two billing cycles
For passengers who voluntarily cancelled their confirmed flights from April 15 to April 30, here are their options:
1. Free Rebooking – Fare difference may apply.
2. Travel Fund – Place the full cost of the ticket in a Travel Fund which can then be used as payment for a future booking. The Travel Fund is valid for 180 days and can be used for bookings as far as 12 months out.
Philippine Airlines: The airline will cater to travelers whose tickets are dated for travel from March 15 to April 30, 2020 by converting their tickets to a myPAL Travel Voucher—which will have an extended validity of 1 year, for travel 12 months forward.
The new guideline covers not only flights from Dubai to Manila and vice versa, but all PAL flights in general. In addition, the myPAL travel voucher also allows passengers to use the value stored in their voucher for towards other PAL flight destinations.
Q: My visa is about to expire, and I am still in the UAE, what can I do?
A: The Philippine Embassy in the UAE and the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai advises Filipinos to inquire with the authorities as well as immigration officers to know the steps that they could do about the validity of their UAE visa in order to avoid overstaying.
For Filipinos in these places, these are some of the things you can do:
Dubai:
Visit https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/form/contact-us or call their 24/7 hotline at 800-5111 for more information
Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah:
Visit https://cc.ica.gov.ae/Web/landing or call their 24/7 hotline at 600522222 for more information
Filipinos may also ask travel agencies in the UAE for help in terms of visa change status or visa extension.
Q: Can OFWs get out of the Philippines without OEC?
A: Some of the government offices have been temporarily shut down, including Philippine Overseas Welfare Administration (POEA).
This is the reason Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are about to be deployed cannot fly out of the country because the over-the-counter transaction of Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) in Luzon is suspended. If other places in Visayas and Mindanao declare community quarantine, the processing department of POEA’s branches or satellite regional offices will also be suspended.
For returning OFWs (including land- and sea-based workers on a contractual basis), they can only process their Balik-Manggagawa OEC exemption online via https://www.bmonline.ph.
Q: Can OFWs in the UAE still renew their passports?
A: Not at this time. The Philippine Embassy in the UAE and the Philippine Consulate in Dubai have announced that they are temporarily suspending the processing of passports, as well as other frontline services, following the UAE government’s call for preventive measures against the spread of the COVID-19 across places where many individuals gather.
Beginning March 24 until April 8, all previously scheduled passport applications and other frontline services at both missions will now be suspended, according to the advisory from the Embassy.
However, the embassy and the consulate state that those whose passport schedules have been affected by the suspension can visit the embassy or consulate anytime, within one month starting from April 12 to May 12 to avail of the service without the need of prior appointments. They only need to bring a copy of the e-mail confirmation of the original appointment.
