Mangaluru: The high number of positive cases during rapid RT-PCR tests at Mangaluru International Airport has forced many expats to postpone their journey, according to airlines.
With cases of entire families traveling to Dubai testing positive at the airport, expats are watching the positivity rate closely to plan their travel.
According to data available with TOI, from December 15, 2021, to January 31, 2022, 16,211 passengers have undergone rapid RT-PCR and among them 357 have tested positive. From August 18 to January 31, 51,429 have undergone the test and 412 have tested positive.
The UAE has stringent rules when it comes to Rapid RT-PCR tests. The test is a mandatory to enter the UAE.
“When initially the rapid RT-PCR started, each flight bound to the UAE had about 1-2 positive cases. However, after the onset of the third wave in the middle of December, the positive cases in each flight increased to six to seven. Currently it is the same. As a result, expats are forced to rethink their journey plans,” said an executive of a low-cost carrier.
Another executive of an airline added that currently passenger load to the UAE is not as expected as many are postponing their travel plans. “Those who have to join work and cannot avoid traveling are going ahead with their plans. However, those who are traveling for other purposes have adopted a wait-and-watch policy. It’s temporary and we expect the load to improve by this month-end,” said the executive.
Many expats traveling to the UAE had to return home and quarantine after they tested positive. “A family of three returned home after all of them tested positive. A bride to-be, who was traveling for her marriage in Dubai, along with parents, had to cancel her wedding after her parents tested positive. All these factors are forcing expats to put their UAE plans on the backburner,” shared a source from MIA.
A traveler testing positive during the rapid RT-PCR test can travel again after a week of quarantine.
With cases of entire families traveling to Dubai testing positive at the airport, expats are watching the positivity rate closely to plan their travel.
According to data available with TOI, from December 15, 2021, to January 31, 2022, 16,211 passengers have undergone rapid RT-PCR and among them 357 have tested positive. From August 18 to January 31, 51,429 have undergone the test and 412 have tested positive.
The UAE has stringent rules when it comes to Rapid RT-PCR tests. The test is a mandatory to enter the UAE.
“When initially the rapid RT-PCR started, each flight bound to the UAE had about 1-2 positive cases. However, after the onset of the third wave in the middle of December, the positive cases in each flight increased to six to seven. Currently it is the same. As a result, expats are forced to rethink their journey plans,” said an executive of a low-cost carrier.
Another executive of an airline added that currently passenger load to the UAE is not as expected as many are postponing their travel plans. “Those who have to join work and cannot avoid traveling are going ahead with their plans. However, those who are traveling for other purposes have adopted a wait-and-watch policy. It’s temporary and we expect the load to improve by this month-end,” said the executive.
Many expats traveling to the UAE had to return home and quarantine after they tested positive. “A family of three returned home after all of them tested positive. A bride to-be, who was traveling for her marriage in Dubai, along with parents, had to cancel her wedding after her parents tested positive. All these factors are forcing expats to put their UAE plans on the backburner,” shared a source from MIA.
A traveler testing positive during the rapid RT-PCR test can travel again after a week of quarantine.
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