Travel agency shut in Dubai for offering COVID-19 PCR testing services

A travel agency has been shut down in Dubai for offering COVID-19 PCR testing services.

Dubai Economy took action against the establishment located in Business Bay area, which was also found promoting the illegal services through WhatsApp.

The authority's Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection (CCCP) Sector tracked down the agency after receiving a complaint about the quality of COVID-19 home testing service provided.

Inspections revealed that the firm used a WhatsApp business account to target customers who were given an electronic link to attach their documents and make the payment.

The travel agency was subsequently shut down and the DHA was provided with information related to the laboratories that cooperated with the violator.

Competent medical facilities licensed by the Ministry of Health & Prevention and Dubai Health Authority (DHA) are the only entities allowed to offer PCR testing services in Dubai.

"We will not hesitate to take action against any commercial establishment trying to exploit the prevailing pandemic situation, and we ask all commercial establishments to abide by the relevant laws and regulations. Our inspection teams continue to conduct intensive field monitoring campaigns across the emirate," said Abdulaziz Al Tannak, Director of the Commercial Control Department at Dubai Economy's CCCP.