What are the face mask travel rules in the GCC?

As if there isn’t enough to think about when travelling, face mask travel rules are still changing and we want to make sure you have all the latest information.

After all, now’s the time to plan those sought-after summer holidays, Eid escapes and just around the corner, trips to see the FIFA World Cup in action.

Europe scrapped the wearing of face masks on flights last month, but this only applies to flights within the EU.

What about face mask travel rules for GCC airlines?

Here’s a list of face mask travel rules for different airlines as well as some country-specific requirements that you need to know before travelling.

Be prepared to travel from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Saudi Arabia and Qatar with this breakdown of the face mask travel rules for the main carriers.

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Face mask travel rules: by airline

Air Arabia

Sharjah’s Air Arabia requires all travellers to wear face masks. Passengers wearing disposable surgical masks are advised to change them every four hours during their journey.

Emirates

Emirates requires passengers to wear a cloth or medical mask throughout their journey through Dubai airports. This includes during boarding, throughout their flight, and even while leaving the aircraft.

The only passengers that are exempt from wearing the mask are those aged below six years, and those with certain medical conditions.

If a passenger requires an exemption due to a medical condition, they need to contact Emirates 48 hours before their flight and request an exemption. In addition, they will need to present a medical certificate, with a validity of up to 90 days from the date of issue, while checking in. This will ensure that the cabin crew is aware of the situation beforehand.

When flying from Dubai to Germany, France and Austria, only medical face masks will be accepted on-board due to local government regulations in the respective counties.

For a breakdown of additional travel requirements by destination with Emirates, read here.

Emirates will provide all passengers with free travel hygiene kits, which includes face masks, gloves, antibacterial wipes and hand sanitiser.

Etihad Airways

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways requires passengers aged six years and up to wear face masks throughout their journeys.

The airline will provide wellness kits on board, including a face mask, hand gel and sanitising wipes.

For a breakdown of additional travel requirements by destination with Etihad, read here.

Flydubai

Flydubai requires passengers to wear masks except while consuming food and beverages.

Passengers below six years of age are exempt from wearing the mask, along with passengers with certain medical exemptions listed on the flydubai website.

Requests to process these exemptions need to be made 72 hours before flight time.

Qatar Airways

Doha-based Qatar Airways requires passengers to wear a face mask throughout their flight.

Passengers below six years old, and those with a Hidden Disabilities Card or a Mask Exemption Card (medical certificate) due to certain medical conditions will be exempt.

Passengers travelling to and from Italy are required to wear a FFP2 mask instead of a disposable surgical mask as per guidelines by local authority bodies.

For a breakdown of additional Qatar Airways’ travel requirements by destination, read here.

Saudia

Saudi Arabia’s Saudia requires all travellers to wear a face mask throughout the flight and when in terminals at the airport.

Passengers will be given personal hygiene kits, including wipes, masks and sanitiser.

The airline advises all international passengers to wear face masks during their flight, as well as in closed areas in the country.

For more travel requirements when flying with Saudia, read here.

Face mask travel rules: destination updates

In the UAE, it is still mandatory to wear face masks indoors. You don’t need to wear a face mask outdoors.

If you’re travelling outside the UAE this summer, you’ll need to check the rules per destination.

Recently, Qatar has updated its face mask rules, and this week, Italy is planning to make changes.

Qatar dropped the mandatory wearing of face masks on May 21. There are now only three conditions under which face masks to be worn: individuals within healthcare facilities (workers and visitors), all individuals on public transport, and customer service employees working indoors including cashiers, receptionists and security personnel.

Italy plans to make the wearing of masks mandatory until Wednesday June 15, when changes are expected to be announced here.

Other countries like Japan, meanwhile, will require all international visitors to wear masks on flights and throughout their stay in the country.