With Abu Dhabi witnessing renewed cases of COVID-19 in recent days, the authorities have implemented new safety measures across its public places. Abu Dhabi authorities have reintroduced EDE COVID-19 screening system in shopping malls, land and air entry points and some residential areas with the aim of limiting the spread of the virus.

Here is how the screening system works:

What are electromagnetic waves?

The screening system measures electromagnetic waves, created by vibrations between an electric field and magnetic field. All objects, including people, release some form of electromagnetic radiation, which is measured in waves. Evidently, majority of the radiation emitted by the human body is infrared which allows the checking of body temperature through ear and forehead thermometers. Warmer objects emit more thermal radiation than cooler ones.

Similarly, infrared cameras detect body temperatures through the radiation.

NASA explains that electromagnetic waves have crests and troughs just like ocean waves.

“The distance between crests is the wavelength. The shortest wavelengths are just fractions of the size of an atom, while the longest wavelengths scientists currently study can be larger than the diameter of our planet," the institution highlighted.

Working of the scanners:

According to Abu Dhabi Media Office, the device is equipped with an electromagnetic detector to measure waves within a five-metre radius. When a person enter a specific space, electromagnetic waves present in the area changes. The media office explains that the scanner measures these waves which change when the RNA (ribonucleic acid) particles of the virus are present in the individual's body. Notably, RNA serves as a messenger with instructions from DNA. Later, a machine learning algorithm compares the information against the COVID-19 RNA molecule. The scanning system was developed by the EDE Research Institute Abu Dhabi.

What does it mean if a person is positive?

Any individual detected with COVD-19 will be required to undergo PCR testing within 24 hours. In addition, they would be refused to enter the public places such as malls and all land and air entry points.

How accurate are the scanners?

The media office has affirmed that the scanners are highly accurate as confirmed by the result of multiple trials involving 20,000 people. The trials of the device conducted in Ghantoot, Yas Island and Mussaffah showed “a high degree of effectiveness" of the scanners.

Accoding to Jamal Al Kaabi, undersecretary at the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi, screening scanners are being used in line with the emirate's commitment to protect the health and wellbeing of all community members against the pandemic.

“Abu Dhabi has adopted an integrated strategy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, based on increased testing to ensure safe entry into the emirate, vaccination and the continued implementation of precautionary measures,” he added.

Along with the scanners, the Emirati authorities have added other screening methods such as PCR testing to enhance the safety of people in public places.