Covid-19: All the new Abu Dhabi guidelines that will take effect from July 19

Abu Dhabi has announced a series of new guidelines to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the emirate.

National Sterilisation Programme

The emirate will launch the National Sterilisation Programme, starting from Monday, July 19, between midnight and 5am daily, the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has said.

During these hours, the movement of traffic and the public will be restricted and there will be no transportation services.

The public must stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out or to get essential supplies, such as food and medicine.

Those looking to apply for a movement permit in Abu Dhabi emirate can visit www.adpolice.gov.ae.

Due to the movement restrictions, the timings of Eid concerts in the emirate have also been changed, the Department of Culture and Tourism has stated.

Doors will open at 4.30pm, concerts will start at 6.30pm and finish at 10pm on July 22 and 23. E-tickets will still be valid for the concerts.

All visitors will need to present a negative PCR test (valid for 48 hours or less) to enter the venue, and all attendees above 16 years old will be required to be fully vaccinated (post-28 days from the 2nd dose) and present the “E” or Star icon on the Al Hosn app.

Reduced capacity

The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has also reduced the operating capacity of multiple activities in the emirate, starting Monday.

Public beaches, public parks, private beaches and swimming pools, restaurants and cafes, gyms, hotel gyms and spas, buses and public ferries are to operate at 50 per cent capacity.

Shopping malls are to operate at 40 per cent and cinemas at 30 per cent capacity.

A maximum of three passengers may travel in a five-passenger taxi and four passengers in a seven-passenger taxi.

New entry requirements

The emirate has also issued new entry requirements from July 19. Those entering Abu Dhabi will need to present a negative PCR test result received within the previous 48 hours and a negative DPI result received within 24 hours.

Those entering via PCR must take a PCR test on day four of entry and an additional test on day eight.

Those entering via DPI must take a PCR test on day three of entry and an additional PCR test on day seven.

A DPI test cannot be used to enter Abu Dhabi consecutive times.

The procedures apply to all vaccinated and non-vaccinated citizens and residents.

Those failing to take the required tests are liable for fines, authorities warned.

Earlier this month, the emirate also updated its home quarantine protocols for those in contact with a positive Covid-19 case.

Vaccinated individuals must quarantine for seven days and take a PCR test on day six. If the PCR test result is negative, they can remove the wristband on day seven. However, non-vaccinated individuals must quarantine for 12 days and take a PCR test on day 11. They can remove the wristband on day 12 if the result is negative.

Read: Covid-19: Abu Dhabi updates home quarantine protocols