Employees in the UAE who are diagnosed with a communicable disease, suspected of being infected, or identified as close contacts during an epidemic or pandemic could soon receive paid leave without it affecting their annual leave entitlement, under amendments approved by the Federal National Council (FNC).

The amendments form part of a draft federal law on combating communicable diseases, which was approved by the FNC during its session on Wednesday.

What the amendments mean

Under the proposed changes, employers will be required to prevent an employee from attending the workplace if they:

• Are infected with a communicable disease.
• Are suspected of having a communicable disease.
• Have been identified as a close contact during an epidemic or pandemic.

The measure applies if the employee’s presence is likely to pose a health risk to others in the workplace.

Paid leave without affecting annual leave

The amendments also protect employees’ leave entitlements.

If an employee is required to stay away from work for health reasons under the law, the period of absence:

• Will not be deducted from statutory leave entitlements.
• Will be fully paid, with the employee continuing to receive their wage or gross salary.

To qualify, the employee must provide a certificate issued by the competent health authority.

FNC approves amendments

The amendments were approved during an FNC session attended by Minister of Health and Prevention Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh.

According to the FNC, the draft law was first submitted to the Council in March following approval by the Council of Ministers.

The President of the FNC referred the proposed amendments to the Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, which reviewed the changes during a meeting on July 6.

After examining the proposals and their role in strengthening the implementation of the law, the committee endorsed the amendments before they were approved by the Council.

If the draft law completes the legislative process and comes into force, it will strengthen workplace health protections while ensuring employees do not lose pay or annual leave when required to isolate because of communicable diseases.

If you’re travelling from the UAE to India, there’s a new travel requirement you shouldn’t miss.

India has introduced Air Suvidha 2.0, a mandatory online health declaration system for all international arrivals. The form must be completed within 24 hours before your flight and is required before passengers are allowed to board.

The new system was introduced by India’s civil aviation authorities as a precautionary measure in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.

What is Air Suvidha 2.0?

Air Suvidha 2.0 is an online self-declaration portal where travellers must provide their recent travel and health information before flying to India.

Passengers will be asked to submit details including:

• Their travel history over the past 21 days
• Any possible exposure to infectious diseases
• Whether they are experiencing any related symptoms

Once the form is submitted, it is automatically shared with the Airport Health Organisation (APHO) under India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Is the form mandatory?

Yes. All international passengers travelling to India are required to complete the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form before boarding their flight.

Airlines may ask passengers to show proof that the form has been submitted before allowing them to travel.

Do you need a printed copy?

No. After submitting the form, travellers will receive a confirmation by email, which can simply be shown on a mobile phone upon arrival in India. There’s no need to carry a printed copy.

Completing the form in advance also helps speed up the arrival process by reducing paperwork at the airport.

International visitors flying to Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways will automatically receive complimentary medical travel insurance for up to 15 days, under a new initiative launching in July 2026.

The cover will be provided at no additional cost on eligible Etihad-operated flights from July to December 2026, with no application required. It will apply only to passengers whose point of origin and point of sale are outside the UAE.

Travellers using Etihad’s stopover programme in Abu Dhabi will also be covered during their stay, subject to terms and conditions.

The initiative has been launched in partnership with Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi and will be underwritten and administered by Daman National Health Insurance Company.

Officials say the scheme is designed to simplify travel planning and enhance the visitor experience, particularly during peak tourism periods when the emirate is targeting higher stopover and leisure traffic.

“This initiative ensures we meet that demand with an exceptional, end-to-end visitor experience,” said Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi.

Etihad’s chief executive Antonoaldo Neves said the offer would allow passengers to focus on their visit rather than pre-travel formalities, calling it an example of closer cooperation between an airline and a destination.

Abu Dhabi has been expanding its tourism offerings in recent years, with major attractions including Saadiyat Island, Yas Island and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, as it seeks to strengthen its position as a global stopover hub.