The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) on Monday introduced a new protocol with the aim of easing COVID-19 countermeasures, promoting safe movement, and boosting tourism in the country.

According to a statement issued by the ministry, the new protocol has been named 'green pass'. Under the protocol, people are required to use their Alhosn app to show their vaccination status and PCR test validity.

The move has come in line with the UAE government's ongoing efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, protect the health and wellbeing of all community members, and accelerate the process towards a sustainable recovery.

The green pass protocol will facilitate the use of the Al Hosn app across all local and federal authorities in accordance with the needs of community members and procedures followed by the entities. With this protocol, the UAE aims to create a safe and healthy environment for everyone, including citizens, residents and visitors.

As per the protocol, Al Hosn's colour-coding system has six categories defining fully vaccinated individuals, second dose recipients, first dose recipients waiting for the second dose, those who are late to their second dose appointment, those exempted from receiving the vaccine, and the non-vaccinated individuals in the country.

· Category 1: It covers all people who have received both doses of vaccine at least 28 days earlier or have volunteered in vaccine trials. The Al Hosn will show a negative PCR test result in green for 30 days along with active icons (letter E or Gold Star) for seven days.

· Category 2: It covers those people who have received their second vaccine dose less than 28 days earlier. For them, a negative PCR test result will appear on the Al Hosn app in green for only 14 days.

· Category 3: It includes those who have received their first dose and are waiting for a second dose appointment. Their Al Hosn app will show a negative PCR test result in green for seven days.

· Category 4: It includes those who have received their first dose, but are late for their second dose appointment by 42 days or more. For these people, Al Hosn will show a negative PCR test result in green for three days.

· Category 5: It covers those individuals exempted from receiving the vaccine for now in accordance with approved processes. For these people, Al Hosn app will show a negative PCR test result in green for seven days.

· Category 6: It includes all unvaccinated but eligible individuals. For them, a negative PCR test result will appear in green for three days on Al hosn app.

Across all categories, the Al Hosn status will turn grey from green as soon as the validity of their negative COVID-19 PCR test ends. Furthermore, it will turn red if the test result has come positive. In this care, government-approved procedures are required to be followed by individuals to protect themselves from the disease. 

WAM