Travel restrictions on entering the emirate of Abu Dhabi have been in place since June.
In the latest update from the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee, it has been announced that to enter the UAE capital a negative COVID-19 test completed via a PCR nasal-swab test is required.
Previously UAE citizens and residents were permitted with a negative rapid DPI laser test, but this is no longer the case.
Per the Abu Dhabi Media Office official Twitter page, “Entry will be allowed within 48 hrs of receiving a negative PCR test result, or with a negative DPI laser test result accompanied by a negative PCR test result received within 6 days. The Committee states that the same type of test cannot be taken twice in a row within six days.”
The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee, in cooperation with @DoHSocial, approves two tests to enter the emirate effective 27 August 2020, enhancing precautionary measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/TclavviPUi
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) August 25, 2020
However, there are exemptions for this. It was confirmed that those who volunteered to take part in the COVID-19 vaccine trials would be “exempt from these entry measures and are authorised to use emergency vehicle lanes for a smooth journey”.
Volunteers in the COVID-19 vaccine trials are exempt from these entry measures and are authorised to use emergency vehicle lanes for a smooth journey. Meanwhile, violating these procedures will result in penalties and fines as outlined by the Attorney General.
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) August 25, 2020
As of late, COVID-19 cases in the UAE have been on the rise and the question of overnight curfews making a comeback in some areas has been raised.
Last week, a spokesperson for the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) Saif Al Dhahri said: “The UAE might re-enforce the national sterilization program, which had included a night-time curfew. This would be possible in certain areas where we observe high infection cases.”
According to health officials across the country, the number of coronavirus cases have been on a steady decline since July 9, but the recent surge has been a concern.
On August 18 Dr Omar Al Hammadi, the UAE government spokesperson, said the average number of cases had increased by 136.
“The UAE government has done a commendable job with more than six million tests, which is more than 50 per cent of the total population,” Dr Adel Al Sisi, the Chief Medical Officer, Consultant of ICU and Chair of Intensive Care at Prime Hospital, told . “The higher the tests, the more are the possibilities of detecting asymptomatic cases in the community. That is why we see a surge. However, there is cause for alarm when we see a rise in number of cases.”
To date, the total number of cases in the UAE stands at 67,621 – with 58,754 recoveries and 377 deaths.
