• Etihad Wellness Ambassador prepares to welcome passengers on board an Etihad aircraft. Courtesy of Etihad Airways
    Etihad Wellness Ambassador prepares to welcome passengers on board an Etihad aircraft. Courtesy of Etihad Airways
  • Stickers on the floor encouraging passengers to remain 2 metres apart while queueing. Courtesy of Etihad Airways.
    Stickers on the floor encouraging passengers to remain 2 metres apart while queueing. Courtesy of Etihad Airways.
  • TV screen encouraging travellers to wear masks. Courtesy of Etihad Airways
    TV screen encouraging travellers to wear masks. Courtesy of Etihad Airways
  • Plastic barriers around the check in area protecting both staff and passengers. Courtesy of Etihad Airways
    Plastic barriers around the check in area protecting both staff and passengers. Courtesy of Etihad Airways
  • Signage encouraging social distancing on public seating in Abu Dhabi International Airport. Courtesy of Etihad Airways
    Signage encouraging social distancing on public seating in Abu Dhabi International Airport. Courtesy of Etihad Airways
  • Temperature scanning at a sanitisation booth. Courtesy of Etihad Airways.
    Temperature scanning at a sanitisation booth. Courtesy of Etihad Airways.
  • A passenger receiving an Etihad Wellness kit. Courtesy of Etihad Airways
    A passenger receiving an Etihad Wellness kit. Courtesy of Etihad Airways

Abu Dhabi airport to offer free PCR tests on arrival with results in 90 minutes


  • English
  • Arabic

All arriving passengers at Abu Dhabi International Airport will be offered a free PCR test, with results available in 90 minutes.

The lab is located inside the airport and will test samples for quick results.

The new fast RT-PCR testing service has been launched with Pure Health labs and Tamouh Healthcare.

Passengers arriving through terminals 1 and 3 will be tested.

Results of the tests will be shared by SMS and WhatsApp and will be available on the Al Hosn mobile app.

Passengers who receive a negative result and are from the list of "green" countries specified by the government of Abu Dhabi will not have to self-isolate.

Those not from the green list will have to self-isolate for 10 days, and will require a quarantine wristband fitted at the PCR testing tent at the airport.

Participants in the National Vaccination Programme and Phase III clinical trials who have an identification mark – a letter E or a gold star – on Al Hosn app are exempt from self-quarantine procedures.

Passengers transiting through the airport will not be tested.

There will be more than 190 medics at the airport and the lab has the capacity to test more than 20,000 travellers and staff daily.

Originally published in December, the green list is updated regularly, with the most recent change taking place on Monday.

There are now 13 destinations included on Abu Dhabi's travel list. Inclusion is dependent upon the latest developments regarding a country’s Covid-19 protocols and guidelines.

These destinations are: Australia, Bhutan, Brunei, China, Greenland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Morocco, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.

All international travellers to Abu Dhabi must present a negative PCR test result and take a second PCR test upon entering the capital.

Not all countries on Abu Dhabi's green list are open for tourism. Travellers should check individual destination requirements.

As of March 4, here are the Covid-19 rules in Abu Dhabi:

  • Diners are limited to four per table, even for family members living in the same home
  • Malls are limited to 40 per cent capacity
  • Restaurants, cafes, hotels and public beaches and parks cannot have more than 60 per cent of their typical number of visitors
  • Gyms, private beaches and swimming pools cannot be more than half full
  • Cinemas have been closed
  • Public transport, such as taxis and buses, are limited to 45 per cent and 75 per cent capacity, respectively
  • Up to 10 family members can gather together but they must wear face masks and remain at least two metres apart
  • Parties and other social gatherings have been banned
  • Entry to Abu Dhabi requires either a DPI or PCR test taken within a certain time of travel to the emirate from another part of the country
  • A DPI test result is valid for 24 hours to enter Abu Dhabi but cannot be used to enter Abu Dhabi on two consecutive occasions. If the individual stays in Abu Dhabi for more than 48 hours will have to take PCR test on day three of entry, and a second PCR on day seven, if they remain in the emirate for a week or more. The day of entry to Abu Dhabi is considered day one
  • A PCR test result must be received within 48 hours of entry into the capital. If the person stays in Abu Dhabi for four days or more, they must take another PCR test on day four and day eight

The countries on Abu Dhabi's 'green' list

  • Albania. Courtesy Yves Alarie / Unsplash
    Albania. Courtesy Yves Alarie / Unsplash
  • Béjaïa, Algeria. Unsplash/ Walid Amghar
    Béjaïa, Algeria. Unsplash/ Walid Amghar
  • Armenia. Unsplash
    Armenia. Unsplash
  • Australia
    Australia
  • Austria. Joss Woodhead / Unsplash
    Austria. Joss Woodhead / Unsplash
  • Baku, Azerbaijan. Unsplash/ Lloyd Alozie
    Baku, Azerbaijan. Unsplash/ Lloyd Alozie
  • Manama, Bahrain. Charles Adrien Fournier / Unsplash
    Manama, Bahrain. Charles Adrien Fournier / Unsplash
  • National Library of Belarus, Minsk. Unsplash/ Eugene Krasnaok
    National Library of Belarus, Minsk. Unsplash/ Eugene Krasnaok
  • Bruges, Belgium. Olivier Depaep / Unsplash
    Bruges, Belgium. Olivier Depaep / Unsplash
  • Višegrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Unsplash/ Luka Korica
    Višegrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Unsplash/ Luka Korica
  • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Unsplash/ Agustin Diaz Gargiulo
    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Unsplash/ Agustin Diaz Gargiulo
  • Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Courtesy Deniz Fuchidzhiev / Unsplash
    Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Courtesy Deniz Fuchidzhiev / Unsplash
  • Angkor Wat, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia. Unsplash/ James Dickson
    Angkor Wat, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia. Unsplash/ James Dickson
  • Toronto, Canada. Alex Shutin / Unsplash
    Toronto, Canada. Alex Shutin / Unsplash
  • China
    China
  • Comoros. Photo: Michael Runkel /Robert Harding World Imagery / Corbis
    Comoros. Photo: Michael Runkel /Robert Harding World Imagery / Corbis
  • Croatia is welcoming travellers who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Unsplash
    Croatia is welcoming travellers who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Unsplash
  • Cyprus. Unsplash
    Cyprus. Unsplash
  • Prague. Czech Republic. Courtesy Lachlan Gowen / Unsplash
    Prague. Czech Republic. Courtesy Lachlan Gowen / Unsplash
  • Copenhagen, Denmark. REUTERS/Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen
    Copenhagen, Denmark. REUTERS/Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen
  • Finland Photo: Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
    Finland Photo: Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
  • Germany
    Germany
  • Greece. Courtesy Responsible Travel
    Greece. Courtesy Responsible Travel
  • Hong Kong
    Hong Kong
  • Budapest, Hungary. Ervin Lukacs / Unsplash
    Budapest, Hungary. Ervin Lukacs / Unsplash
  • Ireland is on the Abu Dhabi Green List again. Unsplash/Jason Murphy
    Ireland is on the Abu Dhabi Green List again. Unsplash/Jason Murphy
  • Italy. Photographer: Giuseppe Aresu/Bloomberg
    Italy. Photographer: Giuseppe Aresu/Bloomberg
  • Japan. Photo: iStockphoto.com
    Japan. Photo: iStockphoto.com
  • Jordan is welcoming travellers and is on the Abu Dhabi green list.
    Jordan is welcoming travellers and is on the Abu Dhabi green list.
  • Kuwait is on the Abu Dhabi Green List but entry for travellers remains severely restricted.. Photograph by Michele Nastasi
    Kuwait is on the Abu Dhabi Green List but entry for travellers remains severely restricted.. Photograph by Michele Nastasi
  • Kyrgyzstan. Photo: William Harbidge
    Kyrgyzstan. Photo: William Harbidge
  • Luxembourg. Photo: Airbnb
    Luxembourg. Photo: Airbnb
  • Maldives. Photo: Angsana Velavaru
    Maldives. Photo: Angsana Velavaru
  • Malta has been added back to the UAE Green List from August 18. Courtesy Unsplash/ Ference Hovarth
    Malta has been added back to the UAE Green List from August 18. Courtesy Unsplash/ Ference Hovarth
  • Mauritius. Courtesy Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority
    Mauritius. Courtesy Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority
  • Moldova. Courtesy Unsplash
    Moldova. Courtesy Unsplash
  • Monaco. Photo: Rosemary Behan
    Monaco. Photo: Rosemary Behan
  • Yangon, Myanmar. Unsplash/ Alexander Schimmeck
    Yangon, Myanmar. Unsplash/ Alexander Schimmeck
  • Rotterdam, The Netherlands.. Unsplash
    Rotterdam, The Netherlands.. Unsplash
  • New Zealand
    New Zealand
  • Norway's Pulpit Rock. Photo: Andreas Gruhle / visitnorway.com / Innovation Norway
    Norway's Pulpit Rock. Photo: Andreas Gruhle / visitnorway.com / Innovation Norway
  • Oman
    Oman
  • Gdansk, Poland. Courtesy Andrea Anastakis
    Gdansk, Poland. Courtesy Andrea Anastakis
  • Portugal. Photo: Bloomberg
    Portugal. Photo: Bloomberg
  • Qatar. Photo: Four Seasons
    Qatar. Photo: Four Seasons
  • Peles Castle, Romania. Courtesy Majkl Velner
    Peles Castle, Romania. Courtesy Majkl Velner
  • San Marino
    San Marino
  • Saudi Arabia
    Saudi Arabia
  • Karadordev Park in Belgrade, Serbia. Courtesy Dusan Pokusevski
    Karadordev Park in Belgrade, Serbia. Courtesy Dusan Pokusevski
  • Praslin, Seychelles. Tommaso Nervegna / Unsplash
    Praslin, Seychelles. Tommaso Nervegna / Unsplash
  • South Korea. Unsplash
    South Korea. Unsplash
  • Slovakia
    Slovakia
  • Lake Bled in Slovenia.
    Lake Bled in Slovenia.
  • Singapore
    Singapore
  • Travellers from Sweden can fly quarantine free to Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Unsplash/Anatoliy Gromov
    Travellers from Sweden can fly quarantine free to Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Unsplash/Anatoliy Gromov
  • Switzerland
    Switzerland
  • Taiwan
    Taiwan
  • Tajikistan
    Tajikistan
  • Istanbul, Turkey. Unsplash/ Meriç Dağlı
    Istanbul, Turkey. Unsplash/ Meriç Dağlı
  • Turkmenistan
    Turkmenistan
  • Ukraine. Courtesy Kate Nesmieian
    Ukraine. Courtesy Kate Nesmieian
Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

England Test squad

Ben Stokes (captain), Joe Root, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts

 
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlmouneer%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dr%20Noha%20Khater%20and%20Rania%20Kadry%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEgypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E120%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBootstrapped%2C%20with%20support%20from%20Insead%20and%20Egyptian%20government%2C%20seed%20round%20of%20%3Cbr%3E%243.6%20million%20led%20by%20Global%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How tumultuous protests grew
  • A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
  • Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved 
  • Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
  • At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
  • Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars 
  • Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
  • An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital 
How to turn your property into a holiday home
  1. Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
  2. Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
  3. Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
  4. Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
  5. Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
PROFILE OF HALAN

Started: November 2017

Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport and logistics

Size: 150 employees

Investment: approximately $8 million

Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar

Men’s singles 
Group A:
Son Wan-ho (Kor), Lee Chong Wei (Mas), Ng Long Angus (HK), Chen Long (Chn)
Group B: Kidambi Srikanth (Ind), Shi Yugi (Chn), Chou Tien Chen (Tpe), Viktor Axelsen (Den)

Women’s Singles 
Group A:
Akane Yamaguchi (Jpn), Pusarla Sindhu (Ind), Sayaka Sato (Jpn), He Bingjiao (Chn)
Group B: Tai Tzu Ying (Tpe), Sung Hi-hyun (Kor), Ratchanok Intanon (Tha), Chen Yufei (Chn)

BlacKkKlansman

Director: Spike Lee

Starring: John David Washington; Adam Driver 

Five stars

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

RESULTS

Time; race; prize; distance

4pm: Maiden; (D) Dh150,000; 1,200m
Winner: General Line, Xavier Ziani (jockey), Omar Daraj (trainer)

4.35pm: Maiden (T); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Travis County, Adrie de Vries, Ismail Mohammed

5.10pm: Handicap (D); Dh175,000; 1,200m
Winner: Scrutineer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

5.45pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

6.20pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Ejaaby, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson

6.55pm: Handicap (D); Dh160,000; 1,600m
Winner: Storyboard, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

7.30pm: Handicap (D); Dh150,000; 2,200m
Winner: Grand Dauphin, Gerald Mosse, Ahmed Al Shemaili

8.05pm: Handicap (T); Dh190,000; 1,800m
Winner: Good Trip, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

Islamic%20Architecture%3A%20A%20World%20History
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eric%20Broug%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thames%20%26amp%3B%20Hudson%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20336%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20September%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

Children who witnessed blood bath want to help others

Aged just 11, Khulood Al Najjar’s daughter, Nora, bravely attempted to fight off Philip Spence. Her finger was injured when she put her hand in between the claw hammer and her mother’s head.

As a vital witness, she was forced to relive the ordeal by police who needed to identify the attacker and ensure he was found guilty.

Now aged 16, Nora has decided she wants to dedicate her career to helping other victims of crime.

“It was very horrible for her. She saw her mum, dying, just next to her eyes. But now she just wants to go forward,” said Khulood, speaking about how her eldest daughter was dealing with the trauma of the incident five years ago. “She is saying, 'mama, I want to be a lawyer, I want to help people achieve justice'.”

Khulood’s youngest daughter, Fatima, was seven at the time of the attack and attempted to help paramedics responding to the incident.

“Now she wants to be a maxillofacial doctor,” Khulood said. “She said to me ‘it is because a maxillofacial doctor returned your face, mama’. Now she wants to help people see themselves in the mirror again.”

Khulood’s son, Saeed, was nine in 2014 and slept through the attack. While he did not witness the trauma, this made it more difficult for him to understand what had happened. He has ambitions to become an engineer.

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting

-      Don’t do it more than once in three days

-      Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days

-      Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode

-      Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well

-      Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days

-      Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates

-      Manage your sleep

-      People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting

-      Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Race 3

Produced: Salman Khan Films and Tips Films
Director: Remo D’Souza
Cast: Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol, Daisy Shah, Saqib Salem
Rating: 2.5 stars

Bahrain%20GP
%3Cp%3EFriday%20qualifying%3A%207pm%20(8pm%20UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ESaturday%20race%3A%207pm%20(UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETV%3A%20BeIN%20Sports%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cargoz%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Premlal%20Pullisserry%20and%20Lijo%20Antony%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2030%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Emirates Cricket Board Women’s T10

ECB Hawks v ECB Falcons

Monday, April 6, 7.30pm, Sharjah Cricket Stadium

The match will be broadcast live on the My Sports Eye Facebook page

 

Hawks

Coach: Chaitrali Kalgutkar

Squad: Chaya Mughal (captain), Archara Supriya, Chamani Senevirathne, Chathurika Anand, Geethika Jyothis, Indhuja Nandakumar, Kashish Loungani, Khushi Sharma, Khushi Tanwar, Rinitha Rajith, Siddhi Pagarani, Siya Gokhale, Subha Srinivasan, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish

 

Falcons

Coach: Najeeb Amar

Squad: Kavisha Kumari (captain), Almaseera Jahangir, Annika Shivpuri, Archisha Mukherjee, Judit Cleetus, Ishani Senavirathne, Lavanya Keny, Mahika Gaur, Malavika Unnithan, Rishitha Rajith, Rithika Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Shashini Kaluarachchi, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Vaishnave Mahesh