Dubai: From today – September 19 – people travelling from within the UAE to Abu Dhabi will not require a COVID-19 negative test report to enter the emirate.
Earlier, people entering the emirate were required to show a negative PCR [Polymerase Chain Reaction] or DPI [Diffractive Phase Interferometry] test result.
The announcement was made by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee for the COVID-19 pandemic after it was reported that the COVID-19 infection rate in the emirate had decreased to 0.2 per cent of total tests.
Green Pass needed to enter some public places
People still need to present a Green Pass status on the Al Hosn app if they wish to enter some public places in Abu Dhabi.
Under the Green Pass system, only those individuals whose status is ‘green’ on the Al Hosn app will be permitted to enter some public places.
How to keep the Al Hosn status as green
The amount of time for which your status stay green on the Al Hosn app depends on your vaccination status as well as the validity of your RT-PCR test result.
Category 1 – Vaccinated
For those individuals who are fully vaccinated – that is they have received their second dose at least 28 days earlier or are volunteers in vaccine trials – a negative PCR test result will lead to a green status on the Al Hosn app. This status will stay green for 30 days as well as show the active icon (letter E or gold star) for seven days.
After 30 days, the status will turn grey.
Category 2 – Second dose recipients
For those who have received their second dose less than 28 days earlier, a negative PCR test result will lead to the Al Hosn status appearing green for 14 days. After 14 days, the status will turn grey.
Category 3 – First dose recipients (A)
For those who have received their first dose and are waiting for their second dose appointment, a negative PCR test result will lead to the Al Hosn status appearing green for seven days. After seven days, the status will turn grey.
Category 4 – First dose recipients (B)
This category is for those who have received their first dose and are late to their second dose appointment by 48 days or more. For such individuals, a negative PCR test result will lead to the Al Hosn status appear green for three days. After three days, the status will turn grey.
Category 5 – Vaccine exempted
For those with vaccine exemption certificates as per approved processes, a negative PCR test result will lead to the Al Hosn status appear green for seven days. After seven days, the status will turn grey.
Category 6 – Not vaccinated
For those who are not vaccinated and do not have vaccine exemption, a negative PCR test result will lead to the Al Hosn status appear green for three days. After three days, the status will turn grey.
No wristband needed for home quarantine
On September 18, the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee also approved home quarantine without the use of wristbands for international travellers and those in contact with positive cases, effective Sunday, September 19, 2021. Positive cases must still wear a wristband.
However, the committee stressed on the need for inidividuals to continue strict adherence to home quarantine procedures and the required testing schedules based on personal responsibility. Violators will be reported to the Attorney-General.
Fine for violating home quarantine
As per the new list of COVID-19 related fines, announced by the UAE Attorney General, Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, on August 21, there is a fine of Dh50,000 for failing to adhere to home quarantine instructions according to the Home Quarantine Guide and to get retested as per health procedures, or refraining from the implementation of such instructions.
