Dubai: From December 19, Abu Dhabi will begin implementing the use of EDE scanners at entry points to the emirate, after the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee announced an update to the entry procedures in the emirate.
The announcement was made on December 15 by the Abu Dhabi Media Office.
As per the announcement, to strengthening precautionary measures to help maintain the low COVID-19 infection rate in Abu Dhabi, which is at 0.05 per cent of total tests, the new measures will be put in place.
How it works
The EDE scanners (named after the EDE Research Institute Abu Dhabi, which developed the technology) detects possible infections by measuring electromagnetic waves that change when the RNA (Ribonucleic acid) particles of the virus are present in the person’s body.
The scanners were developed by the use advanced technology to rapidly detect potential COVID-19 cases without storing personal information.
At a press briefing in July this year, Dr Farida Al Hosani, official spokesperson for the UAE’s Health Sector, explained how the system works.
“The EDE scanning system monitors the possibility of a person’s being infected with the virus by measuring electromagnetic waves that change with the presence of RNA [Ribonucleic acid] in a person’s body,” she said.
The Abu Dhabi Media Office also answered some basic questions around the system being implemented:
1. Why has the border procedure changed?
To strengthen precautionary measures in order to help maintain the low Covid-19 infection rate in the emirate
2. How has the border procedure changed?
Everyone entering Abu Dhabi emirate will now need to undertake a simple, rapid EDE scan via a mobile scanning device
3. What does an EDE scan involve?
An operator holds up a mobile scanning device in front of you for several seconds.
4. How does the EDE scanner work?
EDE scanners use advanced technology to rapidly detect potential COVID-19 cases by measuring alterations in electromagnetic waves.
5. Will it store my image or personal information?
EDE scanners do not store your image or any personal information.
6. What happens if the scan detects a potential COVID-19 case?
You will be referred to an on-site testing centre to take a free Covid-19 antigen test.
7. What is an antigen test?
The antigen test detects the presence of antibodies that are produced by COVID-19. A nasal swab sample is collected and labelled with a dye.
8. Will I have to pay for the antigen test?
The antigen test is free of charge.
9. How long does it take to get the results of an antigen test?
Results for an antigen test are received within 20 minutes.
10. Does the process apply to international travellers arriving from abroad?
The process applies to anyone arriving into Abu Dhabi from within the UAE.
11. What happens if my antigen test result comes back positive?
If you are an Abu Dhabi resident returning to the emirate, official health isolation guidelines apply. You will be fitted with a wristband and need to spend your isolation period in your home or in suitable accommodation.
If you are from elsewhere, you will need to return to the emirate from which you departed and notify the health authority of your test result.
12. Will I need to undertake an EDE scan if my Green Pass on Alhosn app is still valid?
Everybody entering Abu Dhabi emirate will need to undertake the EDE scan, regardless of whether they have a Green Pass.
