• The new EDE scanner at Al Wahda Mall instantly detects whether or not an individual has Covid-19, and reveals the result on a handheld receiver.
    The new EDE scanner at Al Wahda Mall instantly detects whether or not an individual has Covid-19, and reveals the result on a handheld receiver.
  • The new EDE device scans the face of the individual.
    The new EDE device scans the face of the individual.
  • Anyone wishing to enter Al Wahda Mall is scanned, and needs a green result showing they have tested negative for Covid-19.
    Anyone wishing to enter Al Wahda Mall is scanned, and needs a green result showing they have tested negative for Covid-19.
  • If the result is red, the individual may not enter Al Wahda Mall, and must take a PCR test within 24 hours.
    If the result is red, the individual may not enter Al Wahda Mall, and must take a PCR test within 24 hours.
  • The facial scanners work very quickly, returning a result within seconds.
    The facial scanners work very quickly, returning a result within seconds.
  • The scanner and the reading device need to be placed within five metres of each other to sync.
    The scanner and the reading device need to be placed within five metres of each other to sync.
  • The result appears quickly on the handheld reading device.
    The result appears quickly on the handheld reading device.

How do Abu Dhabi's EDE Covid scanners work?


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

This story was originally published in July, 2021.

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

Abu Dhabi recently introduced a new Covid-19 screening method in shopping malls, some residential areas and all land and air entry points.

The devices measure electromagnetic waves.

But what are they? And how do the scanners detect Covid-19?

The National explains.

What are electromagnetic waves?

They are waves created by vibrations between an electric field and magnetic field.

All objects emit electromagnetic radiation, which is measured in waves, including people.

Most of the radiation emitted by the human body is infrared.

Ear and forehead thermometers check body temperatures by detecting infrared radiation emitted by human bodies, as warmer objects emit more thermal radiation than cooler ones.

Infrared cameras detect body temperatures in the same way.

According to Nasa, electromagnetic waves have crests and troughs similar to those of ocean waves.

“The distance between crests is the wavelength. The shortest wavelengths are just fractions of the size of an atom, while the longest wavelengths scientists currently study can be larger than the diameter of our planet.”

How do the scanners work?

According to Abu Dhabi Media Office, the device uses an electromagnetic detector, which measures waves within a five-metre radius.

When a person enters the area, they alter the electromagnetic waves present.

The scanner measures these waves, “which change when the [ribonucleic acid RNA] particles of the virus are present in the person’s body”, the media office said.

RNA typically acts as a messenger carrying instructions from DNA.

A machine learning algorithm compares the information against the Covid-19 RNA molecule.

What does it mean if a person is positive?

They may have Covid-19 and must report for a PCR test within 24 hours.

They will also be refused entry to locations such as malls.

The scanners are now used at shopping malls, some residential areas, and all land and air entry points.

Abu Dhabi EDE facial scanner instructions. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Media Office
Abu Dhabi EDE facial scanner instructions. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Media Office

How accurate are the scanners?

Very, according to a trial involving 20,000 people, which showed “a high degree of effectiveness.”

The devices were trialled in Ghantoot, Yas Island and Mussaffah.

Jamal Al Kaabi, undersecretary at the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi, said the use of the scanners underlined the emirate's commitment to protecting public health.

“Abu Dhabi has adopted an integrated strategy to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, based on increased testing to ensure safe entry into the emirate, vaccination and the continued implementation of precautionary measures,” he said.

Dr Al Kaabi added the scanners would be used alongside other screening methods such as PCR testing.

The system was developed by the EDE Research Institute Abu Dhabi.

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The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

Match info

Uefa Champions League Group H

Manchester United v Young Boys, Tuesday, midnight (UAE)

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

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Drishyam 2

Directed by: Jeethu Joseph

Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy

Rating: 4 stars

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UAE - India ties

The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner after the US and China

Annual bilateral trade between India and the UAE has crossed US$ 60 billion

The UAE is the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India

Indians comprise the largest community with 3.3 million residents in the UAE

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi first visited the UAE in August 2015

His visit on August 23-24 will be the third in four years

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, visited India in February 2016

Sheikh Mohamed was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2017

Modi will visit Bahrain on August 24-25

Name: Brendalle Belaza

From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines

Arrived in the UAE: 2007

Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus

Favourite photography style: Street photography

Favourite book: Harry Potter

How to play the stock market recovery in 2021?

If you are looking to build your long-term wealth in 2021 and beyond, the stock market is still the best place to do it as equities powered on despite the pandemic.

Investing in individual stocks is not for everyone and most private investors should stick to mutual funds and ETFs, but there are some thrilling opportunities for those who understand the risks.

Peter Garnry, head of equity strategy at Saxo Bank, says the 20 best-performing US and European stocks have delivered an average return year-to-date of 148 per cent, measured in local currency terms.

Online marketplace Etsy was the best performer with a return of 330.6 per cent, followed by communications software company Sinch (315.4 per cent), online supermarket HelloFresh (232.8 per cent) and fuel cells specialist NEL (191.7 per cent).

Mr Garnry says digital companies benefited from the lockdown, while green energy firms flew as efforts to combat climate change were ramped up, helped in part by the European Union’s green deal. 

Electric car company Tesla would be on the list if it had been part of the S&P 500 Index, but it only joined on December 21. “Tesla has become one of the most valuable companies in the world this year as demand for electric vehicles has grown dramatically,” Mr Garnry says.

By contrast, the 20 worst-performing European stocks fell 54 per cent on average, with European banks hit by the economic fallout from the pandemic, while cruise liners and airline stocks suffered due to travel restrictions.

As demand for energy fell, the oil and gas industry had a tough year, too.

Mr Garnry says the biggest story this year was the “absolute crunch” in so-called value stocks, companies that trade at low valuations compared to their earnings and growth potential.

He says they are “heavily tilted towards financials, miners, energy, utilities and industrials, which have all been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic”. “The last year saw these cheap stocks become cheaper and expensive stocks have become more expensive.” 

This has triggered excited talk about the “great value rotation” but Mr Garnry remains sceptical. “We need to see a breakout of interest rates combined with higher inflation before we join the crowd.”

Always remember that past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. Last year’s winners often turn out to be this year’s losers, and vice-versa.

Essentials

The flights

Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours. 

The package

Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.

Updated: December 16, 2021, 1:58 PM