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Screening centre at the Ghantoot Rapid testing facility on Dubai-Abu Dhabi border. The procedure, known as Diffractive Phase Interferometry, or DPI, uses lasers to identify Covid-19 infections in less then five minutes. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
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Update: On December 22, authorities in Abu Dhabi announced new guidelines for re-test. Read the latest guidelines here.

Dubai: The guidelines for entering the emirate of Abu Dhabi have been updated by the Abu Dhabi Crisis, Emergency and Disasters Committee, and will be applicable from November 8.

Residents and visitors who enter Abu Dhabi from November 8 and stay for four or more consecutive days must take a PCR test on the fourth day of entry.

If they stay for eighth or more consecutive days, they must take another PCR test on the eighth day. Day 1 is counted from the day of entry.

Entry must be within 48 hours of receiving a negative PCR or DPI test result.

Earlier, anyone entering the emirate was required to take a PCR test on the sixth day of entry. This will not be required for entries from November 8.

For example, if you are entering Abu Dhabi on Sunday (Day 1) and staying in the emirate for four or more days, a PCR test is mandatory on Wednesday (Day 4). If you are staying for eight or more consecutive days, a PCR test is mandatory on Wednesday as well as on the following Sunday (Day 8).

Those failing to take the PCR test on Day 4 and Day 8 will be liable for fines.

Volunteers in the COVID-19 vaccine trials are authorised to use emergency vehicle lanes for a smooth journey.

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Picture used for illustrative purposes only.

Entry requirements for Abu Dhabi

1. Entering Abu Dhabi requires an individual to provide a negative COVID-19 test result. At the border, two types of test results are accepted:

a. An RT-PCR test (Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test), which is done through a nasal swab.

b. Laser-based DPI (Diffractive Phase Interferometry) test, which is a blood test.

You can show a negative result from either of these two types of tests. However, you can only enter Abu Dhabi within 48 hours of receiving the test result.

2. If you plan to stay in Abu Dhabi for four or more days, you would need to get a PCR test done on Day 4. This will be applicable to all people entering the emirate from November 8, 2020.

3. If you plan to stay in Abu Dhabi for eight or more days, you would need to take another PCR test on Day 8.

The two retests needs to be PCR tests only.

These rules apply to anyone entering Abu Dhabi, including residents who may have exited the emirate and are returning.

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Paramedic staff at screening centre at the Ghantoot Rapid testing facility on Dubai-Abu Dhabi border. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

Where can I go to get tested?

RT-PCR test

The cost of the test, as well as requirement for booking an appointment will depend on the testing centre you visit and the health authority operating it.

Dubai Health Authority

Cost: Dh150

Call: 800 342

Seha Abu Dhabi Health Services Company

Cost of test: Dh250

Call: 800 1717

Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP)

Cost of test: Free

Call: 800 11111

Test centre locations

Dubai

• Al Ahli Club

• Al Nasr Club – Oud Metha

• Hamriya

• Majlis Al Rashidiya

• Majlis Al Jumeirah

• Mall of Emirates

• Mirdif City Centre

• Deira City Centre

• City Walk (Seha screening centre)

Some DHA public health centres also provide an RT-PCR test.

However, you would need to contact DHA on 800 342 to find out if the public health centre close to your residence offers the service.

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People leave after their screening at screening centre at the Ghantoot Rapid testing facility on Dubai-Abu Dhabi border. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

Abu Dhabi

• Zayed Sports City

• Al Wathba Screening Centre

• Al Bahia Screening Centre

• Al Shamkha Screening Centre

• Abu Dhabi Corniche

• Al Ain – Asharij Screening Centre

• Al Dhafra – Madinat Zayed

• Al Dhafra – Ghayathi

• Al Dhafra – Al Mifra

• Al Dhafra – Al Silla

• Al Dhafra – Liwa

• Al Dhafra – Delma

Sharjah

• Golf and Shooting Club

• Al Sajaa Shopping Centre

• A tent in Al Qasimia area, near Al Gharb Police Station and Africa Hall

• Wasit Health Centre

• Sharjah Health Centre

• Lou Aluoayyah Health Centre

• Al Dhaid Health Centre

• Al Qassimi Hospital

• Kuwait Hospital

Ajman

• Al Jerf 2

• Al Bait Metwahid Hall

Ras Al Khaimah

• Dafan Al Khor centre, near the corniche

• Al Mairid Health Centre

• Al Jazerah Health Centre

• Al Digdagah Health Centre

• Al Rams Health Centre

• Ebrahim Obaidullah Hospital

• Saqar Hospital

• New Abdullah Omran Hospital

• Shaam Hospital

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Frontline workers in Abu Dhabi’s vital sectors have begun to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Khalid Bin Mohammad Bin Zayed, member of the Executive Council and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, was also administered the vaccine on Thursday. He then toured the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi’s premier public hospital, which is operated by the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha). Image Credit: WAM

Umm Al Quwain

• Defence Camp

• Al Salama Health Centre

• Falaj Al Mualla Health Centre

• Al Khazan Health Centre

• Al Rafa Health Centre

• Preventive Medical Centre

• UAQ Hospital

Fujairah

• National testing centre, near Fujairah Hospital

• Exhibition Centre

DPI test

Cost: Dh50

Abu Dhabi

• Zayed Sports City

• Abu Dhabi Corniche

• Laser Screening Centre – Ghantoot

Dubai

• Port Rashid

• Al Khawaneej

Sharjah

• Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club

Ajman

• Emirates Hospitality Centre

Ras Al Khaimah

• Dafan Al Khor, near National Screening Centre

Fujairah

• Fujairah Centre, near Fujairah Mall

Al Ain

• Al Hili Wedding Hall