Dubai new Public Health Law: What travellers need to know
Further to our public health policies, all the travelers visiting Dubai must follow mandatory health protocols to control the spread of communicable and transmissible diseases.
This law systematizes many activities aimed at improving public health, preventing injury, minimizing the spread of disease, and monitoring community health in reference to other countries.
It mandates thorough requirements for travelers, the general public, and health workers while defining the responsibilities of the governing authorities with regard to public health and the environmental impact.
The Government of Dubai has advanced the protection of public health following the issuance of the Dubai Law No. (5) of 2025 on Public Health, which was issued on a Wednesday by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE as well as the Ruler of Dubai.
The newest addition explains in detail the roles of both people and bodies corporate with respect to the prevention of disease, maintenance of public order, safety and relations with international health services. Every person infected with and any person suspected of having a communicable disease shall avoid any interaction that has the potential to infect another person. They may not travel or move to any place that is outside of a health care institution, except with permission from the Dubai Health Authority. The law also makes it unlawful to for a person purposely or by accident not to declare an infection he has or to infect another. Furthermore, responsible persons within a framework of a managed health system shall ensure observance of measures to avoid contamination conducted by the authorities and health providers. All these in combination shall form a system aimed at controlling the spread of infection, ensuring that prompt response and detection is possible.
What are the rules for travellers?
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All travellers entering Dubai are required to:
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Abide by health protocols as set by designated health authorities
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Provide truthful health records upon arrival at entry points in Dubai
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Inform the relevant authorities of any suspected or confirmed communicable disease
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Practice hygiene such as wearing face masks and distancing as per approved guidelines during illness.
Individual Responsibilities
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Anyone infected with or suspected of being a carrier of a communicable disease must:
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Isolate to prevent contact with others in order to control transmission
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Avoid travel and movement, except to designated healthcare facilities with prior approval from the Dubai Health Authority
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Never hide an infection or intentionally disseminate infection
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Obey directives from health authorities and medical personnel in charge.
Broader framework of the law
The law creates a complete framework for promoting and protecting public health throughout the emirate.
It focuses on:
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Steps taken to reduce the risk of health hazards
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Cooperation among government bodies such as the Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Municipality, and Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority
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Campaigns to educate the public, with an emphasis on collective accountability toward health and safety.
When does the law take effect?
The new law will take effect 90 days after its release in the Official Gazette. It ignores any previously outdated legislation and mandates absolute collaboration from public and private entities for its enforcement.
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