Dubai: If you are planning to visit Abu Dhabi over the weekend, or have a wedding to attend in Sharjah, you won’t just need to have your trip planned out. You may also need to take a PCR [Polymerase Chain Reaction] test, in order to maintain the Green status on your Al Hosn app, also often referred to as the Green Pass. If you are still not clear about what the Green Pass is, here is all you need to know.
Where do I need to show the Al Hosn Green Pass?
From September 20, new Green Pass rules have come into effect in Abu Dhabi, where individuals who have received a Sinopharm vaccine more than six months ago should have received their booster shot in order to maintain the Green Pass status on their Al Hosn app.
However, Abu Dhabi is not the only emirate where you will need to present a Green Pass to enter some public places.
In guidelines issued on September 19, Sharjah’s Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority announced that people would need to present a Green Pass on their Al Hosn app in order to attend weddings and social gatherings.
Guidelines for Abu Dhabi
While Abu Dhabi has removed the need to take a PCR test to enter the emirate from within the UAE, you will need to present a Green Pass to enter some public places like shopping malls, health clubs and restaurants, based on an earlier announcement by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee.
As per the announcement, 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 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 keep the Al Hosn status as Green
The amount of time for which your status stays 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.
I can’t access the Al Hosn app, how can I check my status or information?
The Al Hosn app doesn’t just provide you with a Green status, which allows you to access certain places it is also a database of the COVID-19 tests that you have taken. On August 26, Abu Dhabi Media Office provided a few alternative ways in which users can access testing and vaccination information held on the Al Hosn app if they can’t access the app itself.
1. Dial this code
Etisalat users can dial *48*, followed by their Emirates ID number or UID (Unified ID) and then type hash. Once you send this code through your phone, you will receive the latest information on the tests you have taken and their results.
2. SMS code
3. Visit the Al Hosn app
Everyone can also access the Al Hosn app via the website m.alhosnapp.ae
Here, you can enter your Emirates ID number or UID along with your mobile number. You will be sent a one-time password (OTP) to your mobile number. Once you enter it on the website, you will be directed to a landing page which provides you with all the details from Al Hosn, similar to what you would see on the app.
