Middle Eastern airlines Etihad and Emirates have both announced new health policy regarding travellers on the two colossal airlines. Both airlines will now require passengers to present proof of a negative COVID19 test prior to travelling.

The airlines have also stated the new policy applies to all customers no matter whether they are travelling in transit or to a direct destination. This also applies to all customers for all countries internationally (including Australians).

Many countries have already ratified laws that require their residents to produce a negative COVID19 test prior to travelling, however, the move from Etihad and Emirates is far more wide-reaching with the two airlines essentially servicing Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East and Europe (encompassing almost a full half of the globe).

Emirates have also stated that said tests must be conducted by approved laboratories prior to travel. “If the UAE government has designated a specified laboratory in your country of origin, then you must get your certificate from that specified lab” an Emirates spokesperson claimed during the announcement. Emirates, on their website, has stated that the most major private UAE tester which is approved is a lab known as Pure Health.

Emirates have also started offering a product to its customers known as “COVID19 cover” which covers customers flight costs in the event a flight is cancelled for reasons relating to the pandemic. Emirates have stated that the cover will not extend to mandatory quarantine enforced within Australian borders.