With a new strain of virus that is said to be stronger that the previous one, Abu Dhabi is all geared up to protect its lot. A new set of rules and regulations have been put into place starting from December 24, 2020.

The new regulations would mean many things. For one, there is a change in the testing protocols for Covid-19. Regulations have been announced by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crises and Disasters Committee.

There is no significant restriction of movement and travel. However, there are stricter testing regulations now in place. To start with, those entering emirate will need to have tested negative and should be able to present a test at the time of entry. The test results have to be received via PCR or DPI within 72 hours of being presented to border authorities. Further, every individual entering the emirate, or returning to it after leaving, has to undertake subsequent COVID-19 testing via PCR.

But the testing schedules have been altered from two tests in eight days to merely one test on the sixth day of entering the emirate. Also, all international travellers have to adhere to a quarantine period after returning from abroad. But the quarantine period has been reduced from 14 to 10 days. A testing period in interval of 6 days is in place, in case a traveler is in emirates from six or more than 12 days.

Travellers are exempted from quarantine requirements if they are returning from any of the ‘green’ countries, a list of which is going to be reviewed fortnightly.  As of December 22, the list comprises 16 countries, including Australia, Brunei, China, Greece, Greenland, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

The Committee has also reiterated that volunteers who are part of the Phase III COVID-19 vaccine trials in the UAE, as well as those have been vaccinated as part of the National Vaccination Programme, are exempt from all these testing and quarantine requirements in Abu Dhabi. However, their status on the Al Hosn app must include a letter E, or a golden star.