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Dubai prepares for safe summer influx

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Tolga Lacin

Dubai reopened to tourists on July 7 with specific Covid-19 special stickers stamped on passports of returning residents, saying ‘warm welcome to your second home’ and stringent guidelines for tourists.

Tourists in Dubai will be required to meet safety standards upon entry, as stated by The Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management.

As mandated by the committee tourists should ensure they have a valid health insurance in order to enter the country. They will need to download the Covid-19 DXB app and register their details on it.

Tourists will need to fill out a health declaration form before embarking. They must do a PCR test with a maximum validity of four days (96 hours) ahead of the date of departure. They will be required to show proof of not being infected with the virus upon arrival at Dubai airports. If they cannot provide proof, they will undergo a PCR test at the airport.

 

"We are confident that the industry will rapidly bounce back"

– Tolga Lacin

 

All arrivals will be subject to thermal screenings. They are also subject to additional tests if suspected to be Covid-19 positive. If they test positive to Covid-19, they will have to isolate themselves at an institutional facility provided by the government for 14 days at their own expense. International tourists possessing Covid-19 negative certification will be exempt from having to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

As a result of the pandemic, the UAE was closed for at least four months and hotel occupancy plunged. We spoke to Tolga Lacin, Area General Manager of Le Meridien Dubai complex and Mina Seyahi complex, to know more about they are doing to prepare for the summer influx.

"As Dubai opens its doors for tourists again in July 2020, we are preparing to take the necessary steps to welcome global guests to our properties again. We have spent most of our energy and recourses on the hygiene and safety and training our staff, and have already successfully implemented new ways of working and accommodating our guest whilst we have been open for local guests," says Lacin.

"While the pandemic has highly affected the hospitality sector, we are confident that the industry will rapidly bounce back, and we have seen a very positive response from the local market so far.

"We’ve placed a relentless focus on elevating our cleanliness standards across both the hotel and our restaurants, and being part of Marriott we also have access to enhanced technologies to help counter the virus, such as electrostatic sprayers, ultraviolet light technology to sanitize room keys and virtual check ins via the Marriott Bonvoy app to encourage contactless experiences.

"The safety of our associates and guests is of paramount importance.

"We closely follow all guidelines from the local authorities we are beyond excited to be welcoming back global guests, as well as our local guests," says Lacin.

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