Latest: UAE drops mandatory wearing of masks in outside areas
Abu Dhabi has announced it is ending Covid-19 border controls from Monday.
The emirate's Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Committee on Friday said Al Hosn green pass would not be needed to enter Abu Dhabi from February 28, the emirate's media office said.
EDE scanners will also be removed at checkpoints for commuters entering the emirate.
However, the green pass system will still be needed to gain access to public places in the emirate.
Authorities said the decision comes as the recovery phase of the Covid-19 pandemic starts, “supported by the community’s commitment to preventive measures".
It came on the same day as UAE authorities announced the most significant easing of restrictions since April 2020, when the pandemic spread around the world.
Face masks are no longer mandatory outside from February 26, while PCR testing is no longer required from fully vaccinated people.
Changes were also introduced at the country's mosques from Saturday. NCEMA approved the return of the pre-pandemic time intervals between prayer calls and the iqaamah. The iqaamah calls worshippers to pray. A limited number of sanitised copies of the Quran will be available, but worshippers must keep a physical distance of one metre.
Cases have been falling consistently over the past few weeks with 696 new infections on Friday.
The border rules, meanwhile, were introduced in December as the Omicron variant spread around the world with the main checkpoint established at Ghantoot on the E11 Abu Dhabi to Dubai motorway.
Vaccinated people entering Abu Dhabi had to show Al Hosn green pass, while those not vaccinated had to present a negative PCR test result received within 96 hours.
The rules run in conjunction with EDE scanner checks. Officers use a mobile phone application to detect signs of fever.
The reintroduction of rules at the border last December meant a partial return to the border checks that were in place between July 2020 and September 2021 to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The UAE's fight against coronavirus - in pictures
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The Third Place Cafe on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi has a sticker to remind customers of Covid-19 precautions. Victor Besa / The National -
An 'X' reminds people of the need for physical distancing at the Third Place Cafe. Victor Besa / The National -
The Third Place Cafe in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Sanitation workers at Haddins Fitness, Zayed Sports City. Victor Besa / The National -
Places of worship, such as Shiva temple in Dubai, have been subject to restrictions during the pandemic. Reem Mohammed / The National -
Fitness buff Natalie Navikova exercises at Cobra Fitness Abu Dhabi at Al Bandar. Victor Besa / The National -
CrossFit class at Vogue Fitness Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
A worshipper at Shiva temple in Dubai follows safety precautions. Reem Mohammed / The National -
The floor of the main prayer hall at the Gurunanak Darbar in Jebel Ali, Dubai, is covered with plastic sheets to help tackle the spread of Covid-19. Pawan Singh / The National -
Safe distance marking stickers placed on the floor at Gurunanak Darbar in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Midday prayers are performed at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Hotel beaches are now open to guests at the Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche after Covid-19 restrictions eased. Victor Besa / The National -
Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai has safety measures in place to help protect worshippers. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Shiva temple in Dubai put safety measures in place to protect worshippers. Reem Mohammed / The National -
Covid-19 safety measures are put in place at Mahamevnawa Buddhist Temple in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Residents wear face masks as they walk in Abu Dhabi city centre. Victor Besa / The National -
People walk along near the Ramada Hotel Abu Dhabi Corniche during the pandemic. Victor Besa / The National -
A visitor wears a protective face mask at Al Shindagha Museum in Dubai. EPA -
A man on his e-scooter travels along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi as the sun sets. Victor Besa / The National -
People wear face masks in Al Barsha, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
