Abu Dhabi tightens entry rules; Covid vaccine takers exempted

With the number of Covid-19 cases in the country hitting a record high of 3,432 on Saturday, Abu Dhabi has once again tightened norms for entering the emirate.

The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has updated procedures to enter Abu Dhabi from within the country, effective from Sunday, 17 January, as part of the proactive efforts and precautionary measures to contain and eliminate the spread of Covid-19. pic.twitter.com/MIkfqUEDZg

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From Sunday, stringent measures followed till the last week of December will be implemented in the emirate, the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee for the Covid-19 Pandemic said on Saturday. But there is reprieve in travel restrictions for people who are fully vaccinated or volunteers of the Phase 3 clinical trials.

Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi updates entry rules for those within UAE

This latest development is announced following the number of Covid-19 cases increasing consistently this month and remaining more than 3,200 for the past four days.

Taking precautionary measures, from Sunday, a person needs to enter the emirate of Abu Dhabi within 48 hours of receiving a negative PCR or DPI test result instead of 72 hours, which was in place from December 24.

Also, a person needs to take mandatory PCR tests on day four of entry for those staying for four days or more, and on day eight of entry for those staying for eight days or more. The day of entry into Abu Dhabi is counted as day one. Since December 24, a person entering Abu Dhabi had to take only one additional PCR test on the sixth day.

The procedures apply to all citizens and residents, including Abu Dhabi residents, except for those vaccinated as part of national vaccination programmes and volunteers of the Phase 3 Clinical Trials who have received status (letter ‘E’ or gold star) on their Al Hosn app. According to the last available information, till January 10 some 250,000 people have received the second dose.

Meanwhile, the committee has urged community members to continue their cooperation and commitment to follow preventive and precautionary measures.

Those who fail to follow the procedures are liable for fines.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

Ashwani Kumar

I am a newspaperman from the emirate of Abu Dhabi. A journalist at heart. I get my stories from the streets. A south Indian born in the Hindi heartland, I easily connect with people from different nationalities and cultures. I am calm like a monk, sensitive and very patient reporter. On the ground, I cover a range of topics related to community, health, embassy, tourism, transport, business and sports. I will go out on a leg to do what’s right and stand by what I believe in.