• The system is designed to avoid congestion at the border into Abu Dhabi. All photos courtesy Abu Dhabi Police
    The system is designed to avoid congestion at the border into Abu Dhabi. All photos courtesy Abu Dhabi Police
  • Drivers are identified 200 metres before the checkpoints.
    Drivers are identified 200 metres before the checkpoints.
  • The service is available in four languages.
    The service is available in four languages.
  • It tells people what the rules are to enter Abu Dhabi.
    It tells people what the rules are to enter Abu Dhabi.
  • The service is available on 24 FM stations.
    The service is available on 24 FM stations.

Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi Police to broadcast Covid-19 rules on car radios at Dubai border


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Abu Dhabi Police has launched a Covid-19 radio alert service for people crossing the Dubai border.

It is available on 24 FM stations and will tell people the rules they need to follow to gain entry to the emirate.

The force announced the initiative on Friday and it is available in four languages: Arabic, English, Urdu and Malayalam.

It comes into effect 200 metres before the checkpoint and lists the requirements, such as having a Covid-19 test, disclosing if you arrived in the country recently and wearing a mask, while passengers travelling in the vehicle who are not related should not exceed three.

Footage on Abu Dhabi Police's social media feed showed the service in action. As a driver approaches, instructions come through the radio telling the motorist to slow down and adhere to the rules.

The force called on everyone to follow the instructions of police at these points to avoid traffic congestion.

Meanwhile, the UAE recorded 2,160 new cases of coronavirus on Friday after 239,268 tests were carried out.

Case numbers have fallen significantly since late January, when about 4,000 infections were recorded on most days.

The reduction coincided with one of the fastest vaccination programmes in the world.

Last December Abu Dhabi moved the Covid-19 DPI testing centre from before the checkpoints to Al Faya Road, at a turn-off from the E11 Dubai-Abu Dhabi motorway.

Abu Dhabi's new DPI checkpoints – in pictures 

  • Medical staff speak to drivers before they take a prick of blood from their finger that can rapidly be scanned for signs of the virus. All photos by Leslie Pableo for The National
    Medical staff speak to drivers before they take a prick of blood from their finger that can rapidly be scanned for signs of the virus. All photos by Leslie Pableo for The National
  • Police direct a long line of vehicles waiting for the rapid test at the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border
    Police direct a long line of vehicles waiting for the rapid test at the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border
  • Many commuters are expected to use the quick Dh50 to enter Abu Dhabi instead of undergoing a PCR nasal swab test, which costs about Dh150 in a private clinic
    Many commuters are expected to use the quick Dh50 to enter Abu Dhabi instead of undergoing a PCR nasal swab test, which costs about Dh150 in a private clinic
  • A medic takes a drop of blood from a commuter
    A medic takes a drop of blood from a commuter
  • A medic takes a drop of blood from a commuter
    A medic takes a drop of blood from a commuter
  • Medical staff use a laser scanning technique called DPI to look for signs that the body has generated antibodies to fight off a virus
    Medical staff use a laser scanning technique called DPI to look for signs that the body has generated antibodies to fight off a virus
  • Medical staff use a laser scanning technique called DPI to look for signs that the body has generated antibodies to fight off a virus
    Medical staff use a laser scanning technique called DPI to look for signs that the body has generated antibodies to fight off a virus
  • A medic takes a drop of blood from a commuter
    A medic takes a drop of blood from a commuter
  • Eighteen stations can handle 36 vehicles at any one time. The process takes several minutes to show a result
    Eighteen stations can handle 36 vehicles at any one time. The process takes several minutes to show a result
  • Although the DPI test does not specifically look for Covid-19, it quickly identifies whether someone may be ill
    Although the DPI test does not specifically look for Covid-19, it quickly identifies whether someone may be ill
  • Drivers line up to be tested on Al Faya Road just off the E11 highway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi
    Drivers line up to be tested on Al Faya Road just off the E11 highway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi
  • The company that runs the service for the government said it should save drivers time and money
    The company that runs the service for the government said it should save drivers time and money
  • Drivers line up to be tested on Al Faya Road just off the E11 highway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi
    Drivers line up to be tested on Al Faya Road just off the E11 highway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi