UAE government workers to get free PCR tests

The service is provided by the Ministry of Health and Prevention through an app called Shifaa

Government and semi-government workers can avail of free PCR tests by using the 'Shifaa' app. Photo: Victor Besa / The National

Government workers have been reminded that to obtain their free PCR tests a booking needs to be made in advance.

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources tweeted to say the service is available through the Ministry of Health and Prevention app called Shifaa or through a scannable QR code.

The service is available to federal government and semi-government employees only. A valid working ID card must be shown at the health centre as well as an Emirates ID card to get the free test.

Registration is necessary and eligible employees can book an available slot in any emirate.

A look inside Dubai airport's in-house PCR testing facility

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  Lab staff working in the sample preparation room at Dubai Airport (DXB). All photos: Pawan Singh / The National

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  Close to Terminal 2, the laboratory is a dedicated centre for around-the-clock processing of RT-PCR test samples collected from passengers at DXB.

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  Lab staff working in Dubai Airport's in-house lab for processing Covid-19 PCR tests.

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  One of the world’s busiest airports now has one of the world’s biggest in-house Covid-19 testing laboratories.

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  The laboratory reduces waiting times for passengers arriving by making sure their PCR test results are delivered in only four to six hours.

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  Before the lab opened in June, the passengers’ samples were collected from the airport every 12 hours.

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  Now samples are collected every 30 minutes and transported to the in-house facility operated by Pure Health.

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  Carlo Kaabar, medical director of Mohap Laboratories, at Dubai Airport's in-house PCR lab.

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  After a batch of samples is received, the staff first check their integrity and verify the passengers’ details using barcodes.

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  Dubai Airport's in-house lab for processing Covid-19 PCR tests.

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  If passengers test positive, they need to undergo isolation and follow the Dubai Health Authority guidelines.

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  Lab staff scanning the barcode of a Covid-19 PCR sample.