Abu Dhabi: Covid-19 tests no longer required to enter emirate from within UAE

Officials in Abu Dhabi have confirmed that Covid-19 tests will not be required for those seeking to enter the emirate from within the UAE starting Sunday, September 19.

The directive from the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee for the Covid-19 Pandemic issued on Saturday follows the recent announcement that the Covid-19 infection rate in the emirate has decreased to 0.2 per cent of total tests,  besides the activation of the green pass system to enter several public places.

The committee said that it would continue to monitor the developments of the pandemic and urged all citizens, residents and visitors to continue adhering to precautionary measures to protect public health and safety.

The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has updated the procedure to enter Abu Dhabi emirate from within the UAE, and has approved the cancellation of Covid-19 testing requirements to enter, effective Sunday, 19 September 2021. pic.twitter.com/KBtf3tYPmt

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) September 18, 2021

The green pass on the Alhosn app is required for all residents and tourists to enter several establishments in the emirate including shopping centres, restaurants, cafes, and all other retail outlets, including those not within a shopping centre, as well as gyms, recreational facilities and sporting activities, health clubs, resorts, museums, cultural centres and theme parks. It is also required to enter universities, institutes, public and private schools and children’s nurseries in the emirate.

Read: Abu Dhabi: Green pass must for tourists and residents to enter public places; operating capacities at commercial establishments revised

Abu Dhabi also recently updated the requirements for those arriving directly at its international airport from green list destinations.

Read also: Abu Dhabi scraps quarantine for vaccinated travellers arriving from abroad

Starting September 5, 2021, vaccinated citizens, residents and visitors arriving at Abu Dhabi airport from the emirate’s green list of destinations are subjected to a PCR test on arrival and are not required to quarantine, but must undergo another test on day 6, if they are staying in the emirate. Those arriving from other destinations must also take a PCR test on arrival without the need to quarantine, and repeat tests on days 4 and 8.

Updated rules for home quarantine
Starting September 19, the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee for the Covid-19 Pandemic also approved updated home quarantine measures.

It said that wristbands would no longer be required for international travellers and those in contact with positive cases, effective September 19. Positive cases must however still wear a wristband.

The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has approved home quarantine without the use of wristbands for international travellers and those in contact with positive cases, effective Sunday, 19 September 2021. Positive cases must still wear a wristband. pic.twitter.com/8kxtQGJYS2

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) September 18, 2021

The committee has approved continued strict adherence to home quarantine procedures and required testing schedules based on personal responsibility, as well as monitoring by healthcare systems to ensure compliance with precautionary measures, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office. It added that violators will be reported to the Attorney General.