Covid-19: UAE issues new rules for entry to all federal government departments

Beginning August 1, visitors and customers who are not vaccinated against the virus must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test in order to be permitted entry to any federal government department or ministry across the country.

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) tweeted on Thursday to confirm that the test must be taken a maximum of 48 hours prior to the visit.

Only those who have been fully vaccinated (received both doses of the vaccine) will be exempt from the rule.

As of Sunday “1st of August 2021, customers, visitors, employees of outsourcing or service companies, or any person other than employees of the entity will not be allowed to enter the headquarters of Federal entities and their Customer Service Centers, with the exception of: pic.twitter.com/c8kyt7UBKB

— FAHR (@FAHR_UAE) July 8, 2021

Others who are not eligible to receive the vaccine must also furnish a negative test result.

The FAHR said the new directive is applicable to customers, visitors, employees of outsourcing or services companies, or any person other than employees of the federal departments. It is not applicable  to those under the age of 16.

The test results must be displayed through the Alhosn app.

All exceptions granted to UAE federal government employees, including the permission to work from home due to emergency conditions of Covid-19 pandemic, were cancelled as of Sunday, May 16.

Read: UAE: All federal government employees to return to work

At the time, the FAHR said that unvaccinated employees will be required to undergo weekly mandatory PCR testing.

Unvaccinated government employees must pay for tests themselves, unless they present a medical report exempting them from taking the vaccine owing to an illness or a health condition.