The UAE's Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) said in a statement that it is working with healthcare facilities and authorities at home and abroad to support efforts to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, protect the community and ensure their radiation protection and safety.

Radiation technologies are playing an indispensable role in diagnosing COVID-19 infection and monitoring treatment and recovery, FANR said. Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) - a nuclear-derived method for detecting the presence of specific pathogens, including viruses - and chest x-rays are used in testing for the virus. Further x-rays and techniques utilizing radiation such as computed tomography (CT) may be needed during the course of treatment in severe and advanced cases.

Industrial radiation technologies and medical radiological imaging equipment used for diagnosis and treatment is subject to FANR's regulatory oversight at all times, it said.

"FANR continues to regulate and inspect industrial and healthcare facilities to verify proper use of such equipment and its compliance with regulatory requirements for the radiation protection and safety of the public, patients and workers," according to the statement.

WAM