The government of Abu Dhabi has outlined that all vehicles planning to enter the emirate will be stopped at designated checkpoints to ensure that all individuals entering the emirate have tested negative for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Officials stress that all individuals should not attempt entering Abu Dhabi without their negative test results, citing that this would cause unnecessary pressure on checkpoints and delays for other individuals.
“Abu Dhabi’s decision is a preventive measure based on several factors and indicators, with the objective of reducing the possibility of infection between locations in general and supporting the completion of the National Screening Programme, approved by the Abu DhabiEmergency Crisis and Disaster Committee for the COVID-19 pandemic. Hundreds of thousands of tests across all groups in Abu Dhabisociety have been conducted and are still ongoing,” said the official statement.
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Only a few exceptions remain who can enter Abu Dhabi freely without having to present COVID-19 tests which include:
– Those transporting mail and goods of all kinds
– Those with medical appointments for cancer or kidney-related treatments
– Children under 12 years old
– Representatives from Ministries, Local Departments, Diplomatic Entities, Companies, Bureaus, and Offices of Their Highnesses, and those on special missions, may apply for a one-day Mission Permit for a maximum of 14 hours, from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. Entering outside the 14-hour permit period from the aforementioned entities require a negative test result within the past 48 hours. People in this group must be tested every 14 days and may apply for the one-day mission permit by emailing [email protected]
Frontliner workers are no longer excluded in the guidelines. Authorities, however, stress that all frontliners already undergo regular testing.
Authorities state that these guidelines regarding the entry of UAE residents to the capital of the country will be in effect until further notice, which will be assessed in the following weeks after the conclusion of the National Screening Programme.
“The decision enables the public to enter Abu Dhabi without a permit, and the test is a preventive measure that safeguards the health of each personm, their family, and their community. Rather than prohibiting, the decision enables travel while protecting the health and safety of all those residing in and visiting Abu Dhabi,” said the official statement.
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While permits are no longer needed to enter Abu Dhabi, officials state that they plan to maintain emirate’s achievement for attaining low numbers of patients, recent announcements of hospitals which are free from COVID-19 cases and the downward trend of the significant decrease in the percentage of cases found during testing.
Further details on the decision to allow entering the Emirate of #AbuDhabi with a COVID-19 negative test result within 48 hours from receiving the results. pic.twitter.com/AeyUDRYdA1
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) June 30, 2020
