UAE Covid vaccine: PCR test exemptions, other perks

The UAE’s Covid-19 vaccination campaign is well on track to vaccinate about 50 per cent of its population within the first three months of this year. In this explainer, we list out why you must take the vaccine — that is administered for free — as soon as possible and the benefits it offers.

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>> Success story

The country has already administered over two million Covid-19 vaccine doses. It is the first globally when it comes to daily distribution rate (1.16 per 100 people). It’s the second in the world for overall vaccine doses administration, with a rate of 20.8 per 100 people.

The #UAE has exceeded 2 million doses of the Covid19 vaccine. #TogetherWeRecover pic.twitter.com/mLvJO3mvHW

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) January 19, 2021

>> Who can’t take the jab?

- Nursing mothers

- Pregnant women

- Women planning to get pregnant in the next three months.

- Children below 16 years

- Those with allergies

>> Why you must take the jab

Vaccination is the easiest and quickest way to restore normalcy, Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chairperson of the National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee, had told Khaleej Times recently.

By taking the vaccine, a person helps ensure a society free of the virus. “The vaccine will protect the person and others. So, we will not only protect ourselves, but our families and the community. The other advantage of taking the vaccine is that we will be able to go back to our normal lives. We will be able to travel and do a lot of things. Our economy, hopefully, will be back to normal,” Dr Nawal said.

>> Private sector employees

In Abu Dhabi, vaccinated employees of some sectors need not take a Covid-19 test every 14 days. This is applicable to employees of restaurants and cafes, supermarkets, groceries, bakeries, butcheries, vegetables and fruits shops, malls and commercial centres.

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>> Government employees

Fully vaccinated employees of the UAE ministries; and federal, Abu Dhabi and Ajman government departments are exempted from a mandatory Covid-19 test every seven days.

It is also applicable for employees of outsourced and public services companies contracted by UAE federal and Ajman government entities.

>> Teachers, education staff

Teachers and other staff at Sharjah’s private schools who have taken both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine don’t need to undergo a Covid-19 PCR test every 14 days.

>> Hospital visitors

For inpatient visits in Abu Dhabi, vaccinated residents needn’t have a negative Covid-19 test result. For unvaccinated ones, a Covid-negative result should have been issued within 24 hours of the visit.

For your safety and for theirs, and as per the guidelines issued by Department of Health, the following procedures for inpatient visits are now in effect.@DoHSocial #SEHA #Healthcare #inAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/C7pwf2cIJd

— SEHA - (@SEHAHealth) January 18, 2021