Expo 2020 has announced revised entry requirements for visitors.

Visitors aged 18 and over will be required to present proof of any vaccine recognised by their national government or a negative PCR test result taken within the previous 72 hours.

Unvaccinated ticket holders who have not been tested within this period can do a PCR test at the facility adjacent to the Expo 2020 site, which will provide results within four hours.

Moving forward, a network of testing centres across Dubai and the UAE will be announced, with details on the Expo 2020 website. PCR tests will be free of charge when presenting a valid Expo 2020 ticket, Expo one-day or multi-day pass.

Expo authorities had previously announced that visitors would not be required to be vaccinated or present negative PCR test results for entry. Maintaining social distancing and wearing face masks was recommended. However, vaccination was mandated for workers at the site, and free vaccinations were provided for official delegates from participating nations.

In its official statement, Expo has said that "on-site sanitisation stations, mandatory face masks both indoor and outdoor and two-metre social distancing will be maintained".

UAE welcomes tourists

The UAE's Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship (ICA) and National Emergency Crisis & Disasters Management Authority announced that from 30 August the country would resume the applications process for tourist visas for individuals from all countries, provided they are fully vaccinated with a World Health Organisation-approved vaccine.

The decision applies to citizens of countries previously barred from travelling to the UAE.

Passengers arriving on tourist visas are required to take a rapid PCR test at the airport. Proof of vaccination can be provided through the ICA or Al-Hosn apps.

This expo package also includes:

> Dubai's platform for global change
> Expo 2020 Dubai’s Programme for People and Planet
> Expo’s legacy will pivot to people 
> Beginning the final preparations for showtime 
> Read the September 2021 MEED Business Review