Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi changes entry rules for residents taking the DPI test

Entry is allowed into the emirate within 24 hours of receiving a negative DPI test but it cannot be used on two consecutive occasions

A security guard is given a free Covid-19 test at one of the Mussaffah testing centres. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi has introduced stricter entry rules that will come into force from Monday, February 1.

The decision comes after an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in the country.

People with negative PCR tests taken within 48 hours will be allowed to enter the capital.

If they stay in the emirate for four days or more, they must take a PCR test on day 4 and day 8.

Entry is allowed into the emirate within 24 hours of receiving a negative DPI test result. DPI tests results are available within minutes.

But DPI tests cannot be used to enter Abu Dhabi on two consecutive occasions.

People who enter the capital after showing a negative DPI test and stay for more than 48 hours will have to take PCR test on day 3 of entry, and a second one on day 7, if they remain in the emirate for a week or more.

The rule applies to all UAE citizens and residents.

Volunteers in vaccine clinical trials and those vaccinated under the national vaccination programmes who have active icons (gold star or letter E) on Alhosn app are exempt.

Passengers who land in Abu Dhabi must have a negative PCR test result on arrival and must take a second PCR test on day 8. They must also quarantine for 10 days.

Travellers from green countries must be tested on arrival and on day 6, without the need to quarantine.

The countries currently on the green list are: Australia, Brunei, China, Greece, Greenland, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

Entering Abu Dhabi during the Covid-19 pandemic - 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

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

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

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

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

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