Dubai to close drive-through PCR testing centre at Al Nasr Club

It is the latest site to shut down as new cases of Covid-19 continue to decline

Covid-19 testing centres are being closed and centralised as infections fall. Pawan Singh / The National

A drive-through PCR testing centre at Dubai’s Al Nasr Club is the latest to shut down as new cases of Covid-19 continue to fall.

Dubai Health Authority on Sunday said the site will be closed on April 11.

Al Nasr was one of the first testing centres to open in 2020 as the pandemic took hold and demand for PCRs surged.

The DHA said services would be transferred to other PCR testing centres.

It is the second testing centre to permanently close in a matter of weeks, and follows termination of services at the City Walk drive-through testing centre, operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company.

In January the DHA-operated PCR testing services ceased at Dubai Mall, Nakheel Mall, Mirdif City Centre as well Al Hamriya Port Majlis and Al Shabab Al Ahli Club.

After a new year surge in cases, as the Omicron variant emerged, infections in the UAE have fallen from a high of 3,020 new cases on January 22 to only 224 cases on Sunday.

Mass testing and one of the world's fastest vaccination drives have helped the UAE to curb the spread of coronavirus.

A full list of centres to remain open is on the DHA website or Seha mobile app.

UAE’s first drive-through coronavirus testing centre closes as cases fall - in pictures

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi arrives at a drive-through testing lab at Zayed Sports City on Saturday. All photos courtesy of Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed undergoes a nasal swab by a medic. The simple test allows doctors to look for traces of the virus

Medical staff stand ready at the drive-through, which is mobile and can be moved around the city

Sheikh Mohamed meets the medical team who will run the facility

Sheikh Mohamed speaks to staff ahead of the drive-through's opening on Sunday