The UAE announced on June 9 an entry ban to travellers from Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda through measures including national and overseas airlines along with their incoming passengers.
However, transit flights passing through the UAE to these countries have been exempted from the ruling, which goes into effect from 11.59 pm on June 11.
The ban – announced by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority and the General Civil Aviation Authority – includes travelers who were in these three countries in the 14 days before coming to the UAE.
June 7 had witnessed Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni introducing new lockdown measures to tackle COVID-19 cases among the young, and included closure of schools and universities for 42 days, besides suspending public gatherings and prayers in mosques and churches.
While June 4 witnessed 1,259 cases in a single day in Uganda with officials reporting long lines at hospitals. President Museveni said that COVID-19 had affected people aged between 20 and 39, with increased infection in children aged 10 to 19.
Last week, the Democratic Republic of Congo witnessed a third wave of coronavirus infections, with the epicentre in the capital, Kinshasa, which is one of Africa’s most populous cities.
DRC Health Minister Jean-Jacques Mbungani has blamed a low vaccination rate and poor observance of hygiene practices for the rise in infections.
