Dubai: On August 14, the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee, announced several updates that would be applicable in the emirate on visiting public places, travelling to the emirate and home quarantine guidelines, if a person comes in close contact with a COVID-19 patient.
The updates are in line with the committee’s strategy to manage the pandemic response, which aims to create a balance between public health and safety and economic growth. Here is a roundup of all the announcements made on August 14.
Only vaccinated individuals to be allowed in public places, operational capacities increased
From August 20, 2021, only those who are vaccinated will be allowed to enter public places in the emirate. The Committee also announced an increase in the operational capacities of public places like shopping malls, restaurants and health clubs.
The following places have been permitted to operate at 80 per cent capacity, and visitors will have to present an active Green Pass on their Al Hosn app to be permitted in:
• Shopping malls
• Entertainment centres
• Cultural centres
• Museums
• Cinemas
• Restaurants and cafes (allowing 10 people per table)
The following places need to maintain a 50 per cent capacity, and visitors will have to present an active Green Pass on their Al Hosn app to be permitted in:
• Health clubs
• Sports academies
• Gyms
• Spas
The following public and private events need to maintain a 60 per cent capacity, and visitors will have to present an active Green Pass on their Al Hosn app as well as a negative PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test, received within 48 hours prior to the event, to be permitted in:
• Social and sports events
• Entertainment events
• Corporate events
• Wedding halls (not to exceed 100 people).
Public transport will be allowed to operate at 75 per cent capacity.
A taxi driver can travel with up to three passengers in a five-person taxi and with up to four passengers in a seven-person taxi.
How to maintain the active Green Pass on your Al Hosn app
If you are vaccinated, you will need to take a PCR test every 30 days for the Green Pass status to remain active.
If you are in an exempted category, you will need to take a PCR test every seven days for the Green Pass status to remain active.
Children under 16 years of age with the Green Pass status do not require a test for the status to remain active.
If you are unvaccinated, you will have a grey status on the Al Hosn app, and will not be allowed to enter public places.
The same applies to visitors and tourists who should also adhere to international travel protocol.
New residency permit holders are exempted, with a grace period of 60 days to be vaccinated.
To maintain the vaccinated status on the Al Hosn app, a booster dose must be taken six months after receiving the second dose, per medical protocol for each vaccine. A grace period of 30 days is given to those who took their second dose more than six months ago, before their status turns grey on September 20.
Participants in vaccine trials are exempted from the need for a booster dose.
Process announced for verifying international vaccination certificates for visitors to Abu Dhabi
As public places will only allow vaccinated individuals from August 20, the Committee also provided the process for how tourists or residents who have received the COVID-19 vaccine outside the UAE can verify their vaccinated status.
These are the steps you need to follow:
Before departure
1. Visit the website of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) or download its app – ‘ICA UAE’.
2. Select the option for ‘Register Arrivals’.
3. Fill in the form and upload an international vaccination certificate.
4. You will then receive a text message, including a link to download Al Hosn app.
On arrival
1. When you land in Abu Dhabi, you will receive a Unified Identification Number (UID) either at the airport or via ICA app or website.
2. You will need to download and register on the Al Hosn app, using the UID and phone number used for ICA registration or when taking a PCR test in the UAE.
3. You will receive a one-time password (OTP) to complete the Al Hosn app registration process.
Home quarantine guidelines in Abu Dhabi updated
From August 15, new home quarantine guidelines will also come into effect for those who have been in close contact with a positive COVID-19 case.
If you are vaccinated, and have come in close contact with a positive COVID-19 case, you would be required to quarantine for seven days and take a PCR test on Day 6.
If the PCR test result is negative, you can remove the wristband on Day 7.
If you are not vaccinated, and have come in close contact with a positive COVID-19 case, you would be required to quarantine for 10 days and take a PCR test on Day 9. If the PCR test result is negative, you can remove the wristband on Day 10.
Those registered in the home quarantine programme can conduct a free walk-in PCR test and remove the wristband at SEHA Prime Assessment Centers at
1. Zayed Port (Abu Dhabi City)
2. Al Ain Convention Center
3. Madinat Zayed in Al Dhafra
4. SEHA hospitals in Al Dhafra
Travel procedures to Abu Dhabi updated
The Committee also announced updates to the travel procedures for UAE citizens, residents as well as visitors entering Abu Dhabi from abroad, effective from Sunday, August 15 2021.
Vaccinated
Vaccinated travellers arriving from Green List destinations must take a PCR test on arrival without the need to quarantine, and take a PCR test on Day 6.
Arriving from other destinations, they must take a PCR test on arrival, quarantine for seven days and take a PCR test on Day 6.
The protocol applies to fully vaccinated UAE citizens and residents as well as visitors, as documented on Al Hhosn app.
Not vaccinated
Unvaccinated citizens, residents and visitors arriving in Abu Dhabi from Green List destinations must take a PCR test on arrival without the need to quarantine, and take a PCR test on Days 6 and 9.
Unvaccinated citizens, residents and visitors arriving in Abu Dhabi from other destinations must take a PCR test on arrival, quarantine for 10 days and take another PCR test on Day 9.
