Before Flying Emirates Airlines, Get Tested

An innovative airline focused on passenger health introduced additional spreading precautions where all of the passengers were tested for COVID-19 disease. 

The quick blood test was conducted by the airport health department and the results were available within 10 minutes.

According to an Emirates Airlines press release on April 15, 2020, it is the first airline to conduct on-site rapid COVID-19 tests for passengers.

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 (coronavirus) 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 traveling to countries that require COVID-19 test certificates.” 

This new focus on passenger screening is similar to existing entry requirements by certain countries for the yellow fever virus.

As an example, Brazil has been requiring proof of yellow fever vaccination, Stamaril, as a step in their virus outbreak mitigation strategy. 

Emirates Airlines check-in and boarding formalities have also been adapted with social distancing in mind. 

Protective barriers have been installed at each check-in desk to provide additional safety measures to our passengers and employees during any interaction. Gloves, masks and hand sanitizers have been made mandatory for all employees at the airport.

Passengers are also required to wear their own masks when at the airport and onboard the aircraft, and follow social distancing guidelines.

Emirates has also modified its inflight services for health and safety reasons.

Carry-on items allowed in the cabin are limited to laptop, handbag, briefcase or baby items. All other items have to be checked in, and Emirates will add the cabin baggage allowance to customers’ check-in baggage allowance.

All Emirates aircraft now go through enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes in Dubai, after each journey.

In the USA, the FDA recently approved over 180 SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus testing services and even 3 point-of-care test services. 

International travel news published by Vax-Before-Travel.