Health & Safety
The United Arab Emirates is considered to be a safe area to travel in. Although there are no widespread endemic diseases, there is a small risk of malaria if travelling in rural areas of the northern Emirates.
If you are planning a trip which includes using hotels and restaurants used to catering to international travellers, the quality of the food and water should pose no problems as hygiene standards will usually be good. When exploring off the beaten track however, hygiene, food preparation and storage standards can be variable. It is wise to assume that water in these areas is not safe to drink and ice should be avoided. Likewise, fruit and vegetables should be peeled and make sure that meat is cooked thoroughly. Although no vaccinations are mandatory for travel to the UAE, some travel doctors recommend vaccinations for diphtheria, hepatitis A and tetanus.
Medical facilities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are of a good standard but treatment is generally expensive. General and specialised care and is widely available in the major centres, but can be difficult to find in outlying areas, and a comprehensive medical travel insurance is highly recommended.
Because of the sometimes extreme heat in the region, visitors are advised to ensure that they remain adequately hydrated by drinking plenty of water. When exploring outdoors, use of a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen can provide sensible protection from the sun.
The UAE has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, making this a very safe destination to travel to, although common sense should always be applied. As in many parts of the world, the threat of terrorist acts cannot be entirely discounted, so it is always prudent to check any travel alerts before venturing to a foreign country.
The laws relating to drugs, narcotics and some medicines, are very strict and diligently enforced in the UAE with prison sentences being enforced. Travellers are advised that the painkiller codeine is illegal, as are a number of other prescription and over the counter medications. The UAE has a zero tolerance policy, and even inadvertent possession of trace elements of a banned substance can result in prosecution.
For a list of controlled and banned pharmaceutical substances, visit http://www.emirates.com/uk/english/plan_book/essential_information/banned_substances_in_the_uae.aspx
Emergency telephone numbers for the UAE are: 997 for fire, 998 for ambulance and 999 for police.
We strongly advise that all Australian travellers check the latest travel advice on the Australian Government Smart Traveller site.
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