Thursday 16 December 2021

Abu Dhabi updates border entry process

Posted by Zaishan at 00:20 Abu Dhabi COVID-19 UAE News

Abu Dhabi has announced a major border entry process change for those travelling from within the UAE. With effect from Sunday December 19, p...

Abu Dhabi has announced a major border entry process change for those travelling from within the UAE. With effect from Sunday December 19, people entering the capital emirate coming from within the United Arab Emirates will be scanned with EDE scanners at border entry points.

The Abu Dhabi COVID-19 protocol update was announced on Wednesday December 15 by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee (NCEMA). The EDE scanners will be used to detect potential COVID-19 cases. People with potential positive COVID-19 cases will be referred to an on-site testing centre and given a free antigen test, with results available within 20 minutes.

Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has updated the procedure to enter the emirate from within the UAE and approved the use of EDE scanners at entry points. pic.twitter.com/6cRyvfS292
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) December 15, 2021

Residents within the UAE can still travel to Abu Dhabi, but they are required to go through scanning with the EDE scanners at entry borders from December 19.

How does EDE scanners work?

The EDE scanners is using advanced technology to rapidly detect potential COVID cases, but without storing personal information. No photos will be stored by this scanner.

NCEMA explained that the Abu Dhabi border update is part of the capital’s response to managing the coronavirus pandemic, including achieving high vaccination rates, having a low infection rate, and having ongoing implementation of precautionary and preventive measures, such as continuous testing and contact tracing. The green pass on the Al Hosn app is another major part of Abu Dhabi’s effective response against COVID-19.

The Abu Dhabi border update follows the UAE as a whole taking proactive measures following worldwide concern over the spread of the Omicron variant. The United Arab Emirates has increased COVID-19 testing, made booster shots more accessible to all and implemented different travel restrictions.

Similarly on Sunday December 5, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) reduced the validity of the green pass on the Al Hosn app. Now, a negative PCR test on the app will only get green status for 14 days in Abu Dhabi. Previously, a negative test had green pass validity for 30 days.

The Al Hosn app has recently synced with the EU Digital COVID Certificate system, making it easier for vaccinated UAE travellers to enter the European Union, and vice versa. The certificates generated across the apps will be equivalent.