How Dubai passport control officers coped with Covid-19
Awarm smile greets travellers at Passport Control in Dubai airport. All officers there understand the value of a welcome smile. It creates the first impression of the people and the country. It also sets the tone for visit to the country. So the smile is a highly valued gesture at the Dubai International Airport.
When the UAE ushered in Covid-19 safety protocols, the smile was a casualty. The smile was there, but its warmth remained hidden behind the facemasks. Lt Ahmad Mohammad Yateem, an officer at Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, was on night shift when masks were first distributed at the airport. It was in March 2020. Till then, Ahmad had only heard of
the coronavirus that was spreading across the world. Masks were a vital tool in the fight against the pandemic. Travel connects the world. So it was only natural that GDRFA started using masks long before safety protocols were implemented across the country.
“GDRFA-Dubai drew up a plan to ensure the smooth movement of travellers at the airport despite the pandemic. The usage of masks, gloves and sanitisers were implemented for passport control officers right from the early stage,” Yateem said in an interview with Gulf News.
That was essential since these officers are in the frontline, meeting millions of people from around the world. “Despite the pandemic, we received passengers with a smile to make sure that Dubai is welcoming them back. Dubai will remain strong against all crises and hard times as we can turn them into achievements,” said Yateem.
The smile is back on Dubai. Never mind the masks.