Coronavirus: Entry to Abu Dhabi permitted with Covid-free certificate

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - Entry to Abu Dhabi will be permitted for anyone who can provide proof that they are free of Covid-19, authorities said on Monday.

This would require travellers seeking to enter the emirate to present a negative coronavirus test taken within 48 hours of driving to Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi's Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Committee for the Covid-19 Pandemic said results could be shown to police at the border using the Al Hosn app or by presenting a text message from a hospital or any screening centre in the UAE that is affiliated to the National Screening Programme.

Authorities said the public must continue to adhere to all precautionary measures, including wearing masks and observing physical distancing inside vehicles.

Entry of non-Abu Dhabi-based workers remains still prohibited.

The announcement is the latest update a movement ban on the country's capital that have been in place since June 2.

Initially, authorities said they would impose a travel ban on entering and leaving the emirate to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Initially residents were only allowed to travel within Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain or Al Dhafra, but not between them.

Last week, officials confirmed it was still possible for Abu Dhabi residents to leave the emirate but would need a permit to return.

The transport of goods between the capital and Dubai have continued as normal throughout the ban.

Initial restrictions introduced this month also required Abu Dhabi residents to obtain a permit to leave the emirate, but that decision was rescinded.

The movement ban was put in place to facilitate the emirate's mass testing programme, part of its early detection strategy.

Dr Jamal Al Kaabi, acting undersecretary for Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health, previously told The National that the ban was necessary so medics could test residents who live in densely populated areas and stop people from moving around and potentially spreading the virus.

He said the aim was to eliminate the coronavirus from the emirate completely, even if that requires testing everyone in Abu Dhabi.

“We will take all the necessary actions to eradicate the virus and ensure that the Emirate is free of Covid-19 – even if it requires us to test the whole population to get a handle on the virus,” he said.

Medics are now working their way through densely populated areas of the emirate to offer free testing so they can identify, isolate and treat positive cases.

“People who live in high-density areas, can expect a visit from the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre and/or Seha teams, to run their tests within the safety of their homes,” Dr Al Kaabi said.