Abu Dhabi scraps Covid-19 entry test for vaccine volunteers

Special measures have been announced for participants of the Phase III clinical trials of the Covid-19 vaccine and the National Vaccination Programme in the UAE, the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee for Covid-19 Pandemic has confirmed.

Vaccine trial participants and those part of the National Vaccination Programme will be granted entry into Abu Dhabi from within the country without the need for PCR and DPI tests. For participants of the Phase III clinical trials, this ease will commence from the first dose, while for National Vaccination Programme participants, this relaxation will apply 28 days after the second dose.

The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee for Covid-19 Pandemic has approved special measures for participants in the Phase III clinical trials of the vaccine or the National Vaccination Programme. pic.twitter.com/7gkljya4CZ

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) November 25, 2020

Vaccine trial participants will be identified by a gold star in the Alhosn app, while those that form part of the National Vaccination Programme will be earmarked by the letter E in the app. The special measures will only be applicable if the same is reflected in the participant’s app, which is also linked to the mandatory requirement of a fortnightly PCR test for both sets of participants.

However, both sets of participants travelling from abroad must take a PCR test prior to travel and upon entry into Abu Dhabi but are not required to undergo quarantine.

National Vaccination Programme participants must take additional PCR tests on the fourth and eight days of their visit post their entry into the emirate.

Earlier this month, Abu Dhabi revamped its entry rules, mandating all UAE residents to undertake a Covid-19 PCR test on the fourth and eighth day of entering the emirate, in addition to a test prior to entry.

Read: Covid-19: Abu Dhabi changes entry rules, two additional tests required after arrival