The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has approved the entry process for public places limited to vaccinated citizens, residents and tourists. The process will be implemented effective from the 20th of August 2021.

The approved process allows entry for those who are vaccinated with a green status on the Al Hosn app, which appears after a negative PCR test result and remains valid for 30 days.

Entry is also allowed for those exempted from vaccination with green status on the Al Hosn app, which appears after a negative PCR test result and remains for 7 days. Children under 16 years, whose status will appear as green on the Al Hosn app without the requirement of a test, will also be allowed entry.

Unvaccinated individuals and those with grey status on the Al Hosn app, which reflects an expired PCR test, are prohibited from entering these public places.

The committee also announced that those with a new residency permit have a grace period of 60 days to be vaccinated. The process to enter public places also applies to visitors and tourists, who should also adhere to the international travel protocol.

The committee explained that a booster dose must be taken six months after receiving the second dose per the medical protocol for each vaccine to maintain the vaccinated status on the Al Hosn app. 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 20 September. Participants in the vaccine trials are exempt from needing a booster dose.

The committee had previously announced a list of public places limited to vaccinated individuals. These are shopping centers, restaurants, cafes, and other retail outlets, except those within a shopping centre, gyms, recreational facilities and sporting activities, health clubs, resorts, museums, cultural centers and theme parks. The list also includes universities, institutes, public and private schools and children's nurseries in the emirate.

The committee reiterated that the decision is part of Abu Dhabi's proactive measures to contain the spread of the virus and its mutated strains. The committee stressed the importance of engaging in precautionary measures and choosing to vaccinate, with vaccination the most effective method for sustainable recovery.

WAM