Abu Dhabi changes Covid-19 testing rules for those entering from within the country

Abu Dhabi has instituted new Covid-19 testing requirements for all those entering the emirate from within the country. These changes are in effect from Sunday, January 17.

The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee for the Covid-19 Pandemic said that a negative PCR or DPI test result not older than 48 hours is required to gain entry into Abu Dhabi. Previously, these test results had a validity of up to 72 hours for entry into the emirate.

It added that a mandatory PCR test must be undertaken by those who enter on day four of their entry for those staying for four days or more, and on day eight for those staying for eight days and above. The day of entry into Abu Dhabi is counted as day one.

Those failing to take these PCR tests on day four and eight will be liable for fines.

These procedures are applicable to all UAE citizens and residents, including Abu Dhabi residents, except for those vaccinated as part of national vaccination programmes and volunteers in the Phase III vaccine clinical trials who have an active status (letter ‘E’ or gold star) on the Alhosn app.

The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has updated procedures to enter Abu Dhabi from within the country, effective from Sunday, 17 January, as part of the proactive efforts and precautionary measures to contain and eliminate the spread of Covid-19. pic.twitter.com/MIkfqUEDZg

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) January 16, 2021

The committee said that the new rules were part of “proactive efforts and precautionary measures to contain and eliminate the spread of Covid-19.”

The UAE reported 3,432 new Covid-19 infections on Saturday, January 16. It takes the total number of infections up to 249,808. Of this number, 222,106 patients have made a full recovery, while 740 individuals have succumbed as a result of complications arising from the virus.