Abu Dhabi authorities have exempted international participants of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX 2021) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX 2021) from the 10-day quarantine procedure upon their arrival in the emirate.

The development has come after Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre approved the request of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) - the entity which organises the exhibitions.

The exhibition is scheduled to take place from February 21-25 under the patronage of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The decision has been taken by the authorities to facilitate the participation and arrival of international delegations from all over the world.

As per the new protocols, international participants coming to the UAE for the exhibitions will be required to present their event badge (printed on an A4-size paper) at any border. Following this, they will be exempted from quarantine measures and will not be required to wear tracking wristbands as well.

The authorities will finalise and publish an updated list of detailed protocols at a later stage after consulting and collaborating with relevant authorities across the UAE. These protocols will be aimed at an easy entry of delegations and supporting their participation in the exhibitions.

Speaking over the development, Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, asserted that the decision to exempt participants of IDEX and NAVDEX 2021 exhibitions from quarantine period has been taken by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi in a bid to promote business activity in the emirate.

He further highlighted that the Health Centre worked closely with ADNEC as a strategic partner during the fight against the pandemic crisis on various initiatives with the aim of protecting the health of the community.

We are confident of their ability to implement rigorous precautionary measures including the necessary PCR tests that ensure the health and safety of visitors and exhibitors attending this event," he added.

He also affirmed that the participants exempted from quarantine procedures will be required to comply with all precautionary guidelines that are in place before entering Abu Dhabi.

ADNEC Managing Director and Group CEO Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri stated that the exemption for participants indicates the contributions of IDEX and NAVDEX in the recovery of business activity of the country in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic.

"It will also showcase how Abu Dhabi continues to lead as a regional capital for the business tourism sector. We maintain our support to welcome the world, once again, in spite of the ongoing global conditions caused by the pandemic," he added.

With the organisation of IDEX and NAVDEX, ADNEC seeks to attract global expertise in land, sea and air defence industries and localise knowledge in the UAE.

The authorities have formalised and implemented a wide range of health and safety measures across IDEX 2021, NAVDEX 2021 and the International Defence Conference in order to contain the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that all participants are protected.