admon

Just to really mess your holiday up. From August, anyone flying into the UAE will NOT be allowed to enter, unless they have a 'medical certificate' proving that they do not have H1N1.

Nice one. I'm hoping that Gulf News have got it wrong 'for a change'.

http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Health/10335287.html

If its true, I see carnage coming.
How are people that have already left the UAE for the summer going to know about this?

IndieG

Just returned from a nice 4 week holiday in India! No sign of any thermal scanners at Dubai airport. Leaving for Melbourne on 14/8, hubby returns in Sept (so he would definitely need a cert - considering that Victoria is the swine flu capital of the world! )

rowell

See nothing wrong in that, quote from the piece below

A source from the National Committee for Combating Swine Flu also said that instructions have been issued to all airports, sea ports and land border points to quarantine any person suspected of having H1N1 symptoms upon entering the country.

"Without this certificate, any person with swine flu symptoms will be prohibited from entering the country. Accordingly, any company or establishment will have the right to cancel sponsorship, if the worker conceals an infection intentionally," the source said.

IndieG

Swine flu symptoms - what if you just have a common cold when you arrive - you'd probably be quarantined until you are tested for H1N1....might save you time at the airport if you simply provided them with a "swine flu Cert"

Patsy Stoned

So you get a certificate, if you can, saying you are free of the virus. You then get on a plane and sit by somebody who has swine fever. Get off, show your cert. and leave the airport and present with symptons 5 days later.
Also what about all the Emiratis who are holidaying and don't have to get a clearance?

commander

there was thermal cameras at AD airport on Sunday night.

lionheart

...and how much do you think we will get charged by the NHS for such a certificate I wonder?

IndieG

Would they even give one?

Spugsy

how can they charge you? you're a UK citizen aren;t you?

glynster

They will charge if its from the doc and I cant see you getting one anywhere else,I had to know a few days in advance when I was going to be ill to see a doc so best book an appointment soon as I am back to blighty in 3 weeks,yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

MataHari

so I assume you only need a certificate when you are ill and have a high fever...and not when you have no signs of it...

Patsy Stoned

The actual quote from the paper

"Abu Dhabi: Expatriates who are working in the UAE and are on vacation abroad will have to produce a medical certificate that proves they are not infected with H1N1 virus before returning to the country."

"A source from the National Committee for Combating Swine Flu also said that instructions have been issued to all airports, sea ports and land border points to quarantine any person suspected of having H1N1 symptoms upon entering the country. "
My understanding is that you have to have a certificate to say you don't have it.. With the UK unable to cope as it is, how will they be able to issue certificates?

Patsy Stoned

See above darling xx

MataHari

ok, well that doesn't make any sense then...do you get the certificate from the country you've visited...if you are away for a couple of weeks, anything can happen, so to get it here in Dubai before you leave doesn't do any good...weird rule

IndieG

Yeah, sums it up quite nicely...so Patsy's original title was quite apt then!