Free PCR tests for all Abu Dhabi pupils in September

Saliva tests for young pupils are also available in G42 healthcare and Seha drive-through centres

Perla Mansour, 4, takes a saliva test before the start of the new school term. All photos: Victor Besa / The National

Mohammed Al Suwaidi gets a swab test in Abu Dhabi as part of the new back-to-school rules.

Many parents have taken their children to Biogenix Labs in Masdar City to take PCR or saliva tests.

The Mansour family from Egypt attended a clinic in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday to get their oldest child tested for Covid-19 before returning to school next week.

Health workers keep the mood cheery for young pupils getting tested.

Special queues have been sectioned off at clinics across Abu Dhabi for school pupils who need to get tested.

Khalifa Al Nahdi, 4, queues for a test.

Pupils will need to show a negative nasal PCR or saliva test result taken within 96 hours before they can return to in-person classes next week.

Health workers hold up some of the many samples taken from school pupils.

A young Abu Dhabi resident gives a saliva sample.

Mohammed Al Bisher, 6, takes a saliva test.

More than a million pupils will return to school in the UAE after the summer break.

Bumper-to-bumper traffic outside Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi.

Parents take their children to Biogenix Labs in Masdar City to take PCR tests.

Follow the latest updates on the Covid-19 pandemic here

Coronavirus screening centres across Abu Dhabi will offer free PCR tests for children throughout September.

The decision extends to all public and private clinics across the emirate, the government said.

Saliva tests, primarily for young children, are also available in all centres run by G42 Healthcare and Seha, Abu Dhabi's public hospital operator.

Pupils returning to school required a PCR test before the first day of school, and must take two PCR tests in September, 14 days apart.