Tanzania hopeful of removal from the UAE’s ‘virus red list’

Authorities in Tanzania are optimistic that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would soon drop the East African nation on its COVID-19 ‘Red List’.

Tanzanians, along with Kenyans are still locked in the UAE’s ‘Red List’ even as it recently removed travel restrictions from five African countries whose citizens were barred from visiting the country.

In its latest review, the UAE removed Ghana, Angola, Uganda, Guinea, and Cote d’Ivoire from its ‘Red List of admission to the Middle East state.

“With effect from January 13, Emirates will resume passenger services to and from Guinea (CKY), Cote d’Ivoire (ABJ), Ghana (ACC), Uganda (EBB), and Republic of Angola (Luanda),” reads a statement from a carrier’s website.

Citizens from the countries, along with their counterparts from several other countries, including Tanzania and Kenya were barred from traveling to the UAE after medical examinations showed that they were testing positive for Covid-19 after arrival in the Middle East nation despite carrying negative test results.

But aviation players in Tanzania are now optimistic that though the country remains on the list, it was just a matter of time before Tanzanians regain their permit for entry into the UAE.