Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi updates Covid-19 measures and quarantine for tourists

New testing rules are set out to enter Abu Dhabi from other emirates, as quarantine periods are cut for travellers

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  Residents wear face masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  Qasr Al Watan presidential palace reopened to public tours with strict Covid-19 measures in place. Victor Besa / The National

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  A Covid-19 safety sign outside a shop at Al Qahirah Street, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  A swing is cordoned off along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi, as part of Covid-19 precautionary measures. Victor Besa / The National

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  A sign advising the public of measures against Covid-19, on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  Visitors arriving at Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island are reminded of precautions against Covid-19. Victor Besa / The National

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  Louvre Abu Dhabi visitors adhere to measures to stop the spread of Covid-19. Victor Besa / The National

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  A technician carries out tests for Covid-19 at MenaLabs Medical Laboratory in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

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International tourists will be welcomed back to Abu Dhabi from Thursday, December 24.

The emirate updated its quarantine, testing and travel regulations on Tuesday.

Travellers from "green" countries, territories and regions will not need to quarantine under the updated Covid-19 safety measures announced by Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Disasters Committee.

The changes are part of a move towards full resumption of economic activities.

The updates include changes to:

International travel and quarantine

Travellers will need to present a negative PCR test received within 96 hours of their scheduled departure, as previously stated.

They must undergo a second PCR test on landing in Abu Dhabi.

Travellers from the green list must self-isolate until they receive a negative result from the PCR test taken on landing.

They are: Australia, Brunei, China, Greece, Greenland, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

The quarantine period for travellers coming from other countries was reduced to 10 days from 14.

Travellers intending to stay in Abu Dhabi for longer than six consecutive days must undergo a PCR test on day six, and on day 12 if they remain in the emirate for 12 consecutive days.

Country classifications will be reviewed every two weeks and can be found here.

Quarantine period

Quarantine for people who have come into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19 has also been reduced to 10 days, provided the person undergoes a PCR test that comes out negative on day eight.

Anyone who is part of the National Vaccination Programme and Phase-3 clinical trials remains exempt from quarantine, as previously announced.

Entering Abu Dhabi

The validity of a negative PCR or DPI test result used to enter Abu Dhabi from other emirates has been extended from 48 to 72 hours.

Those who stay longer than six consecutive days must now be tested on day six. Previously, a PCR test had to be carried out on days four and eight from the date of entry.

Testing

The committee said it would carry out periodic screening programmes for residents of industrial zones and highly populated communities. Screening will also be carried out on “employees of commercial activities”.

It said testing capacity would be increased at Seha screening centres outside the emirate. Testing centres at entry points to Abu Dhabi will be closed, meaning any tests must be done before driving to the emirate.