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Abu Dhabi - Passengers arriving at Abu Dhabi may be subject to further PCR screening

By Sahim Salim

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Published: Mon 27 Jul 2020, 3:00 PM

Last updated: Tue 28 Jul 2020, 7:47 PM

Starting August 1, UAE residents flying to Abu Dhabi will need to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test result at check-in, Etihad Airways has announced. According to the airline's website, the result must be issued by a Pure Health approved medical facility (https://bit.ly/PureHealthCentres) and "you must travel within 96 hours of your test".
If residents can't find a Pure Health facility in the city they are stranded, they can get the test done from "locally approved medical clinics" (https://bit.ly/EtihadGuide).
If travellers test positive for Covid-19 or if they are unable to present proof of a Covid-negative test result from an approved testing centre, they will not be permitted to travel.
Children under 12 and people of determination are exempt from Covid-19 PCR testing.
Residents must also have an approval from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) to travel to Abu Dhabi.
The PCR test requirement is also mandatory for those transferring via Abu Dhabi onto other flights.
Second PCR test at AUH
Etihad also said that all travellers arriving into Abu Dhabi as their end destination "may be subject" to further PCR screening at the Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).
According to information posted on the AUH website, "passengers from visa-free countries and those arriving from high-risk countries will be subject to advanced PCR testing at the airport".
"Following testing, passengers will be required to self-isolate for four days. After the four-day isolation period, passengers will be required to undertake a secondary PCR test to check for a Covid-19 infection. In addition to the tests, incoming passengers are required to self-quarantine for 14 days following their arrival in the UAE," the airport said.
Etihad said on its website that PCR testing and temperature screening are in operation at the AUH. "When you arrive in Abu Dhabi, you are permitted to travel without restriction to any other emirate, though you must self-isolate for 14 days."
As Khaleej Times reported on Sunday, passengers from 29 countries arriving in Dubai need to take two PCR tests - one before travelling and one after arrival in Dubai.
Flying out of AUH
Travellers leaving the UAE from Abu Dhabi to any country in the European Union, the United Kingdom, or to any country where it is mandated by the authorities at the destination, need a negative Covid-19 PCR test result. The test should have been taken within 96 hours prior to departure.
"To help facilitate this process, Etihad Airways is collaborating with Mediclinic Middle East to offer departing travellers the option of convenient PCR testing, for a fee, at their home, or at Mediclinic facilities in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Dubai prior to their travel," Etihad said.
sahim@khaleejtimes.com 


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