• A man taking a PCR test at the centre in Mina Rashed. Pawan Singh / The National
    A man taking a PCR test at the centre in Mina Rashed. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Long queues at VPS Healthcare testing centre. Pawan Singh / The National
    Long queues at VPS Healthcare testing centre. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Cars queue up at the MenaLabs Covid-19 drive-through testing centre. There has been a huge increase in the number of people getting tested for the coronavirus as schools opened for the second term and new weekly testing rules for government employees in Abu Dhabi came into force. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Cars queue up at the MenaLabs Covid-19 drive-through testing centre. There has been a huge increase in the number of people getting tested for the coronavirus as schools opened for the second term and new weekly testing rules for government employees in Abu Dhabi came into force. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Many people are also getting tested before travelling overseas. A negative test prior to departure is required for most destinations. Pawan Singh / The National
    Many people are also getting tested before travelling overseas. A negative test prior to departure is required for most destinations. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The average waiting time was two hours at the MenaLabs Covid-19 drive-through testing centre on Monday. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The average waiting time was two hours at the MenaLabs Covid-19 drive-through testing centre on Monday. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Some testing centres reported a huge rush and that demand for PCR tests had trebled in recent days. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Some testing centres reported a huge rush and that demand for PCR tests had trebled in recent days. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Long queues at testing centres and clinics in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Long queues at testing centres and clinics in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • To enter Abu Dhabi, vaccinated people must show Al Hosn green pass and those who are not must present a negative PCR test taken less than 96 hours prior to crossing the border. Antonie Robertson / The National
    To enter Abu Dhabi, vaccinated people must show Al Hosn green pass and those who are not must present a negative PCR test taken less than 96 hours prior to crossing the border. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Queues at the Seha Covid-19 drive-through testing centre at Mina Rashed in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Queues at the Seha Covid-19 drive-through testing centre at Mina Rashed in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Queues outside Parkview Hospital Covid-19 testing facility in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Queues outside Parkview Hospital Covid-19 testing facility in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Rapid tests are becoming more popular for those needing a quick turnaround to travel or attend events that require proof of negative status. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Rapid tests are becoming more popular for those needing a quick turnaround to travel or attend events that require proof of negative status. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Covid-19 case numbers in the UAE rose steadily through December as Omicron infections surged globally. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Covid-19 case numbers in the UAE rose steadily through December as Omicron infections surged globally. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Where to get a cheap PCR test in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the UAE


Kelly Clarke
  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: follow the latest news on Covid-19 variant Omicron

Demand for PCR testing surged as pupils returned to schools and workplaces after the winter break.

Demand was greatest at clinics that offer more affordable testing rates, starting at Dh50. All clinics run by Abu Dhabi's Seha group have tests for Dh50.

Many testing centres are offering free PCR screening with the purchase of a ticket to Expo 2020 Dubai, which means it could cost you as little as Dh45.

Be advised that some screening centres now said results can take up to 48 hours, up from less than 12 hours a month ago.

Many companies have implemented stricter workplace regulations after the New Year celebrations, requesting staff working in offices to test more regularly to help curb the spread of Covid-19.

Here is a list of some clinics offering affordable PCR testing in the UAE.

Dubai

Seha Covid-19 screening centre, City Walk, Dubai

Price: Dh50 for PCR test (results within 48 hours)

Appointment: Drive through (book via mobile application)

Opening times: 10am to 8pm

Location: City Walk and Dubai Parks and Resorts, Dubai

_______________

General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Jafiliya, Dubai

Price: Dh80 for labourers (results within 48 hours)

Appointment: Walk-in

Opening times: 7am to 11pm

Location: Jafiliya, Dubai

_______________

Rizek mobile application, Dubai

Price: Dh99 for home PCR test (results within 48 hours)

Appointment: Home visit (book via mobile application and use code RR99)

Opening times: 7am to 11pm

Location: Dubai

_______________

Mena Labs drive-through Covid-19 screening tent, Umm Suqeim Road

Price: Dh110 for PCR test (results within 24 hours)

Appointment: Drive through (no appointment necessary)

Opening times: 7am to midnight

Location: Umm Suqeim Road, Dubai

_______________

Abu Dhabi

Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital, Abu Dhabi

Price: Dh50 (results within 24 hours)

Appointment: PCR testing centre is available at building F (appointments not necessary but preferred)

Opening times: 8am to 5pm

Location: Airport Road, Abu Dhabi

_______________

Mediclinic Al Noor Hospital

Price: Dh50 (results within 24 hours)

Appointment: Walk-in on first floor

Opening times: 10am to 9pm, Saturday to Thursday; 9am to 5pm, Friday

Location: Khalifa Street, next to First Abu Dhabi Bank

_______________

Medeor Hospital, Abu Dhabi

Price: Dh50 (results within 24 to 48 hours)

Appointment: Walk-in on first floor

Opening times: 9am to 9pm

Location: Muroor Road

_______________

NMC Bareen International Hospital, Abu Dhabi

Price: Dh50 (results within 24 hours)

Appointment: Walk-in or drive-through (no appointment required)

Opening times: Walk-in is 10am to 10pm; drive-through is 24/7

Location: Mohammad bin Zayed City, Zone 15

_______________

Sharjah

Seha Covid-19 screening centre, Al Bait Metwahhed, Sharjah

Price: Dh50 for PCR test (results within 48 hours)

Appointment: Drive through (book via mobile application)

Opening times: 10am to 8pm

Location: Al Bait Metwahhed, Sharjah

_______________

NMC Medical Centre, Buhairah Corniche, Sharjah

Price: Dh100 for PCR test (results within 72 hours)

Appointment: Walk in

Opening times: 8am to 8pm

Location: Buhairah Corniche, Sharjah

_______________

Thumbay Hospital Sharjah

Price: Dh100 for PCR test (results within 48 hours)

Appointment: Walk in

Opening times: 9am to midnight

Location: Thumbay Hospital Daycare, University City Road, Muweila, Sharjah

SQUADS

South Africa:
JP Duminy (capt), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wkt), AB de Villiers, Robbie Frylinck, Beuran Hendricks, David Miller, Mangaliso Mosehle (wkt), Dane Paterson, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi

Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Imrul Kayes, Liton Das (wkt), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Taskin Ahmed

Fixtures
Oct 26: Bloemfontein
Oct 29: Potchefstroom

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 582bhp

Torque: 730Nm

Price: Dh649,000

On sale: now  

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

Who has been sanctioned?

Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.

Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.

Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.

New UK refugee system

 

  • A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
  • Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
  • A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
  • To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
  • Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
  • Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Winners

Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)

Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)

Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)

Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)

Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)

Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)

Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)

Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

Ready Player One
Dir: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Rylance

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Updated: January 19, 2022, 5:09 AM