New Abu Dhabi Al Hosn green pass rules take effect

People who took Sinopharm vaccine more than six months ago need a booster to maintain green status

The new Al Hosn green pass rules have come into effect in Abu Dhabi.

The status of people who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will remain green as long as they have a PCR test once every 30 days.

People who received a second dose of the Sinopharm vaccine more than six months ago must take a booster shot to maintain their green status.

Authorities made the announcement last month and gave a 30-day grace period for people to receive the booster dose by September 20 to prevent their status from turning grey. That deadline expired on Monday.

The green status is required to enter many public places but those with grey status will be excluded.

The UAE's Al Hosn app acts as a health pass to secure entry to public buildings, malls, education facilities, restaurants and venues in Abu Dhabi. All photos by Khushnam Bhandari / The National

Signs at Khalidiyah Mall inform customers about the current 'green pass' entry rules. People are required to have the 'green status' on the Al Hosn app to enter many public places.

People who are fully vaccinated against coronavirus remain green as long as they have a PCR test once every 30 days.

People who are unvaccinated must be tested every three days to remain green.

People will be required to show their vaccination status before entering public buildings.

This 'green status' system is only in place in Abu Dhabi.

To maintain vaccinated status on the Al Hosn app, a third booster dose must be taken six months after the second dose has been administered.

The new rules apply to citizens, residents and tourists.

Signs at the entrance to Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi inform people to show proof of vaccination upon entry.

A widespread media campaign informed members of the public about the new requirements.

Security staff at public buildings, shopping centres and restaurants will check that visitors have a green pass.

Unvaccinated people who have not received an official exemption, those who have not had a booster or failed to take a PCR test in the past 30 days will have grey status on the Al Hosn app.

The immunised-only list is made up of all shops, restaurants, cafes, gyms, recreational and sports centres and health clubs.

Resorts, museums, cultural centres and theme parks, plus universities, institutes, public and private schools and children’s nurseries, also appear on the list.

However, the green pass is no longer needed to enter Abu Dhabi from other emirates.

Drivers used to stop at the Ghantoot border to present proof of their virus-free status on Al Hosn, but recent announcements mean commuters can now plot a smooth course for Abu Dhabi without planning PCR tests in advance.

The border between Abu Dhabi and Dubai was closed on June 2, 2020. When it reopened, drivers were allowed to travel freely but were asked to show proof of a recent PCR test to cross into the emirate.

Officials announced on Saturday that the screening protocol would be removed after a welcome fall in infection rates in the capital.

An intensive testing programme and a rapid vaccination drive – allied to the public’s support of existing safety measures, such as the wearing of masks – has buoyed confidence in national efforts to overcome the virus.

More than 19.4 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered to the public, with more than 81 per cent of the population fully vaccinated.

The UAE has carried out about 80.7 million PCR tests, with daily testing rates regularly exceeding 300,000.

Abu Dhabi removes PCR test rules for entry from other emirates