"All passengers arriving in Dubai must take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test up to four days prior to their date of travel (maximum 96 hours), unless otherwise stated. The Negative PCR COVID-19 certificate must be printed in English or Arabic. No hand written, SMS or digital certificates will be accepted. You may be required to take another test at Dubai Airports upon arrival. All travellers must check the country requirements from which they are departing"
From the Visit Dubai website.
You need to be tested before you get on the airplane and then you can also be asked to do an additional check on arrival. I've heard of people doing a test in the US but it has expired during transit and they're not even allowed on the connecting flight to Dubai. The stress of the testing alone is just not worth it, and then everything else Fleur has done too.
The thread has moved on but this doesn’t apply to passengers from the certain GCC countries, UK or Germany:
“Passengers who can take a complimentary COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai
All passengers arriving in Dubai from the below GCC countries are not required to take a COVID‑19 PCR test prior to departure. You can opt to do the test on arrival at Dubai International Airport. This is not applicable to passengers arriving by road through the Hatta border, who must take the PCR test 96 hours prior to departure.
- Saudi Arabia
- Kuwait
- Bahrain
- Oman
The test on arrival in Dubai also applies to passengers travelling from:
All passengers still have the option of taking the test 96 hours before departure in their country of origin.”
The thing is, regardless of testing or when she took the test the testing is only a snapshot in time of when the test is taken as many others in the thread have mentioned. The testing on arrival queues are also huge (3 hours earlier this week) so also another place they could pick up the virus.
Like many in the thread I’m disappointed in her original decision to travel and also editing her old post rather than placing a new post. I also don’t believe she was ever confused, it’s impossible to avoid the news and even I (hearing details second hand from family in the UK) am pretty well aware of all the various tiers in the UK.
So many have gone without seeing unwell family members, cancelled major life events and stuck to the letter in order to try curb the spread. It’s looking likely I won’t see my family for around 2 years by the time this is all over. Does it suck? Yes, it does and I wish I could see them but I’m not willing to selfishly contribute by travelling during a global pandemic.