Passengers from Bangladesh and five other countries will be allowed to transit through the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting tomorrow, Emirates and Etihad Airlines said on their websites today.

The five other countries are Afghanistan, Indonesia, South Africa, Vietnam and Zambia.

The two UAE-based airlines suspended operating flights from Bangladesh and several other countries following the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic. However, these two airlines are transporting passengers to Bangladesh from other counties.

Emirates and Etihad had earlier said their flights from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka would remain suspended until August 15, in line with previous UAE Government guidelines.

"As some restrictions will be eased from August 5 (Thursday), we are working to resume flights as soon as possible for eligible guests to travel to the UAE and for transit," Emirates posted on its website.

"We are also working to resume previously cancelled flights from Bangladesh, for transit passengers only," it added.

Etihad added that guests impacted by the cancellations are being notified directly. Eligible passengers will be able to rebook their flights once their schedule has been confirmed.

"Those with valid residency permits who have received all vaccination doses in the UAE, with 14 days passed since the second dose, and who have vaccination certificates approved by the official authorities in the country, can enter the UAE," it also said.

Passengers from all countries will also be allowed to transit through the UAE, provided that they have a PCR Covid-19 test completed no more than 72 hours before departure.

Medical personnel and teachers working in the UAE can return to the country irrespective of their vaccination status.