Major changes have been made to Covid-19 restrictions in Abu Dhabi over the past week.
Face masks are now optional outside and quarantine for close contacts has been scrapped.
But what measures are still in place to protect the public?
Face masks
People no longer have to wear face masks outside in Abu Dhabi. However, face masks must still be worn in all public indoor areas, such as shopping malls and schools.
Rules on physical distancing also remain.
Close contacts
Close contacts of positive cases no longer have to quarantine.
People who come into close contact with a person with Covid now only have to test on day 1 and 7, or when they start showing symptoms.
Schools
Face masks remain for the time being, both indoors and outside.
But private schools in Abu Dhabi no longer require close contacts of Covid-19 cases to switch to remote learning and isolate.
Pupils can now continue to attend school in person as long as they have no symptoms. But they must take a test on day one and day four.
Teachers and employees who know they have been exposed to the virus must still take PCR tests for five consecutive days, in line with the latest government announcement.
Entering public places
The Al Hosn green pass remains mandatory to enter most public places in Abu Dhabi.
The validity of the green pass was reduced from 30 days to 14 at the start of December, when the Omicron wave took hold, meaning people had to take a PCR test every two weeks.
That two-week validity remains.
Positive cases
Tracking wristbands, which monitor the movement of people with Covid-19, are no longer used during home isolation in the emirate.
People who isolate at home can either wait out the 10 days, at which point the Al Hosn green pass will automatically revert back to green.
Or they can obtain two negative PCRs, at least 24 hours apart.
Once the Al Hosn pass reverts back to green, people are free to leave their homes.
The border
All border restrictions to enter the emirate from across the UAE have been scrapped.
People do not have to show the green pass entering Abu Dhabi from the border with Dubai.
They are also no longer subject to temperature screening with EDE scanners.
Travel
Travellers no longer need to take a PCR test on arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
And travellers flying with Etihad no longer need a negative PCR test result to board flights, unless it is a requirement of their final destination. Etihad previously required a negative test from all passengers.
Unvaccinated travellers flying to the UAE must, however, continue to present a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of their departure, or display a certificate of Covid-19 recovery dated within 30 days of their flight.
Children under 16 are exempt from these requirements.
Abu Dhabi also scrapped its green list system and removed quarantine for all international travellers.
Exploring the UAE: 10 things to do in Abu Dhabi - in pictures
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1. Yas Bay Waterfront. Photo: Yas Bay Waterfront -
2. The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi at Al Qana. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
3. Camel burger at Emirates Palace. Photo: Emirates Palace Hotel -
4. Qasr Al Hosn. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
5. West Bay Abu Dhabi. Photo: West Bay Abu Dhabi -
6. Louvre Abu Dhabi. Photo: DCT Abu Dhabi -
7. Qasr Al Watan. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
8. Jubail Mangrove Park. Photo: WAM -
9. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Victor Besa / The National -
10. Yas Waterworld on Yas Island. Photo: Yas Island -
11. Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort. Photo: Jumeirah -
12. Coya Abu Dhabi. Photo: The Galleria Al Maryah Island -
13. Al Forsan International Sports Resort. -
14. The Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
15. Observation Deck at 300 in the Conrad at Etihad Towers. Photo: Conrad Abu Dhabi
