Abu Dhabi authorities have issued safety protocols, mandating people in the UAE to be fully vaccinated to enter the emirate. In addition, they are required to take a booster vaccine dose and have a 96-hour negative PCR test.

During the weekend, authorities turned away some drivers entering the emirate from Dubai at the Abu Dhabi-Dubai border after noting that their Al Hosn app had turned grey.

People having received the booster dose have also been asked to take another PCR test on the Dubai side in order to get the green status on their Al Hosn app which will further allow them to enter the capital.

Effective from Monday, the rule applies to every individual who has received only two doses of a UAE-approved COVID-19 vaccine such as Pfizer-BioNTech. Furthermore, unvaccinated individuals are also allowed to enter the capital by presenting a negative PCR test result. It would turn on green status on the Al Hosn app for at least three days.

Are there any exceptions for people who have not had booster dose to enter Abu Dhabi?

The authorities noted that people are required to have a Green Pass or a valid negative PCR test result of less than 96 hours to enter the capital.

"To obtain a Green Pass, individuals must be fully vaccinated, including a booster dose after six months have passed since your second dose, and have a negative PCR test every 14 days. Kindly note that the Green Pass is required to enter public places in Abu Dhabi," the authorities added.

Who is eligible for booster dose?

Since November 2021, UAE authorities have been urging all adults to take the booster vaccine dose to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Noting that green pass in Al Hosn app is required to enter most public places in Abu Dhabi, everyone eligible are required to receive the booster. Those individuals who received their second vaccine dose six months ago are eligible to receive the booster.

Earlier this month, all Abu Dhabi government workers were directed to receive their booster dose to enter the workplace. Furthermore, UAE citizens are required to receive a booster dose to travel abroad.

What happens if you recently had COVID-19 and can’t get a booster at present?

Al Hosn team noted that people who had COVID-19 after two positive PCR test results will get a 90-day exemption after which they can receive their booster dose or vaccinations.

"People should contact the health authority in their emirate for further clarification or their nearest vaccination centre," they added.

Do I need a booster if I received two shots of Sinopharm and two shots of Pfizer BioNTech?

According to authorities, there is no need for a booster at this point, even if it has been longer than six months since the last dose.

“A Pfizer dose is considered as a booster dose to Sinopharm as per the Ncema protocol. Therefore, you will have a green status on the Al Hosn app,” Al Hosn team noted.

As of now, no individual in the UAE is allowed to receive more than four doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

How to activate the Green Pass on Al Hosn app?

UAE authorities have called on all individuals to have Al Hosn downloaded on their smartphones. They can keep the profiles of others in their family including relatives or children, on the app. Al Hosn's pass will turn green after the person receives their booster. They must also have a negative PCR test.

Al Hosn Green Pass requires an individual to take a PCR test every 14 days. For fully-vaccinated people, the app will turn grey if they have not had a negative PCR test within the period, regardless of their booster vaccination.

On the other hand, unvaccinated people are required to take PCR tests more frequently to maintain their green status.

Who is exempt from needing a Green Pass?

People with certain medical conditions have been exempted from green pass requirement. It includes people with specific allergies to an ingredient in the vaccine or those suffering from chronic conditions. Medical conditions will also include those infected with COVID-19 in the past six months.

In such cases, people willing to cross the border into Abu Dhabi or enter public places in the capital require frequent PCR tests.

What do I do if my Al Hosn app is grey?

The app will show the option to know why it has turned grey. It may tell you that you need a booster vaccination or recent negative PCR test.