In a major development, few special measures have been approved by Abu Dhabi’s Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee for COVID-19 Pandemic for those volunteers who are participating in the ongoing Phase III clinical trials of the Coronavirus vaccine or the National Vaccination Programme for emergency use.

Participants in the clinical trial of the vaccine are eligible for these special measures after their first jab. However, participants in the National Vaccination Programme will be able to avail these special measures 28 after their second dose.

The Alhosn app will be identifying the participants in vaccine trials by a gold star, noting that they will not be required to perform a PCR or DPI test before entering into Abu Dhabi from within the UAE. After their foreign travel, they will not be required to quarantine themselves. However, they must undergo a PCR test before their journey to the international destination and upon their arrival at the emirate. In addition, they are exempted from performing mandatory PCR tests on the 4th and 8th days of their stay after arriving at the emirate.

For participants in the National Vaccination Programme, the Alhosn app will identify them by the letter E. They are exempted from taking a PCR or DPI test to enter Abu Dhabi from other emirates in the UAE. While they must take a PCR test before travelling abroad and upon their arrival in Abu Dhabi, they are exempted from quarantine after re-entering the emirate. They are also not required to take PCR tests on the 4th and 8th days of their stay after entry in the emirate.

It is important to note that these special measures will be valid only till the participant's Alhosn app continues to show their special status. It reminds the participants to take a PCR test every fortnight in accordance with the conditions of the vaccine clinical trial and vaccination programme.

WAM