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

Reiterating a decision announced in June, officials in Abu Dhabi confirmed that the green pass on the Alhosn app will become mandatory for all tourists and residents in Abu Dhabi to enter most public places starting Friday, August 20.

The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee said on Saturday that it had approved the use of the pass, that will allow entry to these public places only for those vaccinated individuals with a green status on Alhosn app.

The public places where entry will be restricted include 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. The list also includes universities, institutes, public and private schools and children’s nurseries in the emirate.

The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has approved the entry process for public places limited to vaccinated citizens, residents and tourists, effective from 20 August 2021. pic.twitter.com/Mnwv9BxabY

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) August 14, 2021

For those who have been vaccinated, the green status appears after a negative PCR test result and remains green for 30 days.

For those exempted from vaccinations, a green status will appear on the Alhosn app after a negative PCR test result and will remains green for seven days.

Children under 16 years will have a green pass on the Alhosn app without having to undergo PCR tests. Unvaccinated individuals and those with grey status on Alhosn app, which reflects an expired PCR test, are prohibited from entering these public places.

The committee also announced those with a new residency permit have a grace period of 60 days to get vaccinated and secure the green pass.

To maintain the vaccinated status on the Alhosn app, a booster dose must be taken six months after receiving the second Covid-19 vaccination dose. A grace period of 30 days is given to all those who have taken their second dose more than six months ago, before their status will turn grey on September 20. Participants in vaccine trials are exempt from needing a booster dose.

Process for tourists to verify international Covid-19 certificates
Since the green pass is also mandatory for international tourists in the emirate to enter public places, the committee has announced the process for verifying their international vaccination certificates.

Before departure, the foreign tourists must register in the ‘Register Arrivals’ section of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) app, complete the form and upload an international vaccination certificate. Visitors will then receive an SMS including a link to download the Alhosn app.

On arrival in Abu Dhabi, they will receive a Unified Identification Number (UID) either at the airport or via the ICA app or website. They will need to download and register on the Alhosn app, using the UID and phone number used for ICA registration or when taking a PCR test in the UAE.

Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has announced the process for verifying international vaccination certificates for visitors to Abu Dhabi emirate. pic.twitter.com/Xct3xP7SBs

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) August 14, 2021

They will receive a one-time password (OTP) to complete the Alhosn app registration process. The Alhosn app allows users to check their infection status, vaccination information, test results and travel test requirements via an active QR code.

Revised operating capacities at commercial establishments
On Saturday, the committee also approved increasing operating capacity of shopping malls, entertainment centres, cultural centres, museums, and movie theatres in Abu Dhabi to 80 per cent.

Capacity in restaurants and cafés has also increased to 80 per cent, allowing up to 10 people to sit at one table, provided that facemasks are worn when not dining. The capacity at community and sport events, corporate events such as exhibitions and conferences, and entertainment events including theatre plays and concerts, has been increased to 60 per cent.

The capacity at wedding halls has been raised to 60 per cent, with a maximum of 100 people in the hall. Entry to public places hosting these events will use the green pass system and all attendees must show a negative PCR test result received within 48 hours of the event starting to be allowed to enter.

The committee encouraged the use of the green pass system at private events and family gatherings to preserve public health and curb the spread of the virus.

With regards to public transport, the operating capacity of public transportation has been increased to 75 per cent, as well as taxi capacity so that a taxi driver can travel with up to three passengers in a five-person taxi and four passengers in a seven-person taxi.

However, the committee maintained the cap on the operating capacities in health clubs, sports academies, gyms, and spas at 50 per cent.