ABU DHABI — The UAE has imposed a travel ban on Emirati citizens who are not vaccinated against COVID-19, starting January 10.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced the ban in coordination with the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA).

The announcement is in line with the country’s plan in the recovery phase of the pandemic and enhancing national efforts in all sectors, due to the global epidemiological situation and the current high rate of infections, to preserve the health and safety of citizens.

The ministry also stressed the requirement to receive the booster dose for vaccinated citizens as per the national protocol on travel.

Travel is permitted for unvaccinated citizens of the following categories, citizens medically exempted from taking the vaccine, humanitarian cases, and individuals traveling from medical and treatment purposes.

It emphasized the importance of ensuring that all travelers adhere to preventive measures, investigating the epidemiological situation in travel destinations, and communicating with diplomatic missions in the country in case of suspected infection. — Agencies