Coronavirus update: Passengers qualifying for visa on arrival can enter the UAE

Though the UAE has 12 confirmed cases of Coronavirus, the country has opened its gates for travellers. Now, people can enter the UAE and if they qualify for visa-on-arrival like before. Anyone with a valid passport and qualifying for a visa-on-arrival won’t be affected by the Coronavirus travel restrictions announced by the government recently.
The Federal Authority for Identity has issued a suspension, which is temporary for entry visas into the Emirates, effective Tuesday. The action is taken to control the outbreak of Coronavirus. However, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs has clarified these rules and said some travellers will be exempt from this move.

The official note read, “Please be informed that all types of entry visa issuance has been temporarily suspended until further notice, except diplomatic passport holders and visa-on-arrival.”
The same was confirmed by an alert on the Dubai Airports website. The website clearly mentions that the rule does not apply to passengers with Diplomatic Passports, those who have had visas issued prior to March 17, or for passengers who hold passports from a list of 45 countries including the UK, Canada, Australia and the US.

It further said, "These passengers can continue to travel to and from the UAE although may be subject to additional screening". However, flights from Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Turkey will continue to be halted from March 17, until further notice.

Almost all the countries in the world have imposed strict travel restrictions/bans given the Coronavirus outbreak. On Sunday, the Department of Economic Development in Dubai also shut down all massage parlours, spas, cinemas, theme parks, gyms and public parks in the city till March 31.