Emirates, in collaboration with Dubai Health Authority (DHA), is set to launch digital verification of traveller medical records relating to COVID-19 testing and vaccination to curb the spread of the pandemic and ensure safer travels.
Emirates' Chairman and Chief Executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Director General of the DHA Awadh Al Ketbi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will enable the IT systems of DHA-approved laboratories to be linked with Emirates' reservations and check-in systems. This move will allow the airlines to access and verify travellers' health records related to COVID-19 infection, testing and vaccination in a secure and legally compliant manner, according to a statement released by the airline over the weekend.
The statement added that the project would commence at the earliest to implement a "live" system to benefit travellers in the coming months.
"Dubai is a leading global air transport hub, as well as one of the world's most progressive cities in the area of e-government services. It's a natural step to combine our capabilities to implement digital verification of Covid-19 medical records, which will also enable contactless document verification at Dubai Airport," stated Sheikh Ahmed. "This will tremendously improve the traveller experience, as well as the reliability, efficiency and compliance with entry requirements imposed by destinations around the world."
He added that Dubai is all set to continue leading the way in effective and balanced implementations to contain the pandemic while enhancing travel and air transport, crucial to communities and economies.
During the UAE Innovation Month 2021, DHA announced on Saturday its collaboration with a local start-up, Enpy, to initiate an AI device for remote patient monitoring. Dubai's healthcare regulating authority aims to aid patients in the early detection of health complications through initiating AI technologies across its primary healthcare centres.