Covid vaccinated Abu Dhabi staff to take monthly PCR tests

Fully vaccinated employees of government entities in Abu Dhabi need to take a Covid-19 PCR test every month to enter their workplaces, the local human resources authority said in a new set of guidelines issued on Tuesday.

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Non-vaccinated employees need to take the test every week.

The employees will bear the cost for the tests, whether weekly or monthly.

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The Human Resources Authority (HRA) of Abu Dhabi announced the guidelines in a series on tweets on Tuesday.

Till date, a fully vaccinated employee - a person who has taken both the doses and completed 28 days - was exempted from routine PCR tests. The test was made mandatory since January 18 for unvaccinated government employees.

Additionally, those who have received the second dose but are yet to complete 28 days and those who have a medical certificate exempting them from receiving the jab must take a test every seven days.

Exemptions

However, fully vaccinated employees are exempted from PCR tests if the special icons – E or the golden star – is active on their Al Hosn app. The special icons will get activated if one takes a PCR test.

Other rules

There is another set of rules to be followed for employees of service and vending contracts with the government entities and firms, or other customers and visitors.

These these categories of people, who just want to enter a public building for a meeting or an official task which will not require much time, must have a negative PCR test result obtained within three days.

Quarantine

There is a different set of protocols for contacts and returnees from abroad for employees of the government entities and companies.

For those who haven’t received the vaccine, the quarantine period will be deducted from their annual leave balance. If there is none, then it will be a leave without pay. Remote working will not apply for such individuals.

Meanwhile, employees who are fully vaccinated, may report to work remotely.

Work from home

Additionally, the Department of Government Support – Abu Dhabi has issued a circular with details about the specific groups who need to mandatorily work remotely.

These include pregnant and nursing mothers; senior employees above 60 years; and those with chronic diseases and weak immunity.

Those with children that are e-learning and in Grade 10 and below can work from home as well.

The authority also reminded that the government entities and companies must function at an overall capacity of 30 per cent. They must wear masks and follow social distancing and other rules issued by the authority.

• Abu Dhabi