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Health certificates authenticating that individuals are free of the H1N1 virus will be required for visitors to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) who are performing Haj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. According to a Khaleej Times article, the certificate will be “issued by accredited government health providers, not private health facilities, to guarantee greater accuracy in medical examination.” The UAE will not permit pilgrims to travel to Saudi Arabia without the certificate.

In addition:

• the certificate will be signed by the doctor to ensure accuracy;
• an e-system will be used to prevent fraud; and
• screening for chronic diseases that impact immune systems will be conducted, with the goal of protecting pilgrims from diseases.

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Immigration officials of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) likely will approve a single visa application system, which would allow Gulf visitors entry to all six of the GCC member countries (the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait). As reported at zawya.com, the single Gulf visa application system was proposed and favorably received at a recent meeting of undersecretaries of GCC interior ministries. GCC representatives also are discussing a range of issues regarding security coordination among the member countries, aiming to facilitate movement of Gulf citizens and foreign residents within the GCC.

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