UAE residents abroad share their plight how they missed their flights or had to change travel plans because delayed PCR test results.

Residents returning from UK complained of chaotic testing during the New Year travel rush. Some had to wait for more than double the estimated time for their results. Several passengers were also stopped from boarding flights during the weekend by airlines at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick, due to failure to show valid 48-hour PCR results. Many were forced to reschedule flights or pay for an expensive fast-track PCR test at the last minute.

Dubai resident Stephen Hart, 61, said that changes in Covid-19 travel guideline last-minute has been a big headache for passengers.

His plans were impacted by the new rule that passengers travelling from the UK to Dubai have to take PCR test a maximum of 48 hours before flying – instead of the previous rule of 72 hours.

“I was due to travel this evening [Sunday] and had a negative PCR within 72 hours,” he said. “That expired under the new 48-hour rule. I spent two hours yesterday waiting on the phone to move my flight to Wednesday, as the next PCR test I could get was on Monday.”

“My return to Dubai has been delayed three days and the whole thing has cost me an additional £400 [Dh1,900].”

Abu Dhabi teacher Sophie Richards, 27, had to extend her UK trip by a day as she was not able to get a PCR test certificate within the 48-hour time frame. “I was due to fly to Abu Dhabi on Saturday from London Heathrow,” she said. “With PCR testing centres not open after 6pm, I was unable to test on the 30th as it would have been longer than 48 hours before my departure.”

“I was tested on the 31st but unfortunately the Gatwick branch of the test company my school had recommended did not send back the results on time.”

“I’ve had over 65 PCR tests to date and I have never had to wait so long for a result.”

Kate T, a Dubai resident who travelled to the UK for the Christmas and New Year holidays, said she had to change her family’s flights ahead by two days. "Our PCR results did come on time, but we learnt they would be out of date as the rules [regarding 48-hour turnaround] had changed," she said.

"As such we had two options, retest or change our flight. The PCR tests would cost £80 each and we needed three, which was money down the drain.”

"It would have been cheaper to retest the following day but there were absolutely no slots available to us on January 1 in our area at such short notice.”

"Our only other option was to bring the flight forward 24 hours at a cost of £187 each for a family of three. It certainly was very stressful."

PCR tests are a mandatory requirement for all residents and visitors who are entering the UAE.

Last week, Dubai Airport has announced it would conduct random PCR tests on arrival for some flights in an effort to curb rise in Covid-19 cases.

If tested positive, the passengers have to isolate at home for 10 days from the first day a PCR test even with no symptoms of Covid-19.