December 23, (THEWILL) – There is a dramatic twist in the crisis rocking UAE and Nigeria as the former has suspended all flights to their country with immediate effect.
This is just as travel agents informed that they have been instructed not to book any passenger to the middle eastern country till further notice.
According to information made available to THEWILL, Nigeria has received a new COVID-19 protocol from UAE that says that Nigerians will be expected to do two PCR tests before departing Nigeria to UAE.
The information reads that the first test is to be done 48 hours to arrival in Dubai while the second test should be done 6 hours to departure with another antigen test done at transit airport.
This new protocol is to take effect immediately.
Unfortunately, some airlines were already airborne enroute Dubai and were requested to turn back.
A major player in the travel industry who confirmed this new directive described it as ‘true and very unfortunate’ looking back at the incidents that have transpired in the wake of the diplomatic melee between both nations.
THEWILL also gathered that Nigerians are stranded and the Nigerian government is working on getting them back home with any available airline as the airline they travelled with are already almost full and cannot return them all back.
The UAE and Nigeria settled a 9-month rift over the same Covid-19 protocols which later involved flight restrictions by both countries.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
