Two weeks after the travel ban was implemented, Emirates has slowly started introducing a handful of flights in and out the country – but not before taken full precautions against coronavirus.
Today, on a flight to Tunisia, all passengers were tested for COVID-19 before departing from Dubai. This makes Emirates the first airline to conduct on-site rapid COVID-19 tests for passengers.
The airline’s check-in and boarding areas have also been adapted with social distancing in mind with the introduction of protective barriers, and all passengers must wear a mask before boarding. Each aircraft will undergo disinfecting after landing back in Dubai.
Adel Al Redha, Emirates Chief Operating Officer said: “The testing process has gone smoothly and we would like to take this opportunity to thank the Dubai Health Authority for their initiatives and innovative solutions. We are working on plans to scale up testing capabilities in the future and extend it to other flights, this will enable us to conduct on-site tests and provide immediate confirmation for Emirates passengers travelling to countries that require COVID-19 test certificates.”