DUBAI: The UAE has prohibited its citizens from traveling to the countries the UAE has banned entry from recently.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) have announced that UAE citizens are prohibited from traveling to Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Namibia, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, South Africa, and Nigeria.

Exempt from the decision are the UAE diplomatic missions in the aforementioned countries; emergency treatment cases; official delegations; and previously authorized business and technical delegates, Khaleej Times reported.

In a joint statement marking the commencement of the peak travel season which coincides with the exceptional circumstances the world is going through currently due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the ministry and the NCEMA underlined the need for the UAE citizens to comply with all precautionary measures in general, particularly the Covid-19 countermeasures, and all other preventative protocols in place in their countries of destination.

The two entities also emphasized the need for the UAE citizens to adhere to self-isolation should they get Covid-19 positive during their travel, and to ensure compliance with all instructions, requirements, and health protocols applied by their host countries. They also have to notify the UAE embassies in their host countries in case they get infected.

According to the statement, infected Emiratis will be allowed to return to the UAE after getting the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities in the host country as well as the competent health departments in the UAE, while adhering to all the guidelines and health requirements needed to ensure their safe repatriation.

The ministry called upon all citizens to register in the ‘Twajudi’ service before their travel to ensure that full support is provided during their travel period.

(With inputs from Agencies)