Coronavirus: how to get tested in the UAE and how much does it cost?

The new screening drive through for COVID-19 in Al Bahyah, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The new screening drive through for COVID-19 in Al Bahyah, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A visitor at a Covid-19 drive-through testing centre in Ras Al Khaimah. Antonie Robertson / The National

A nurse checks the temperature of a visitor at the Ras Al Khaimah drive-through testing centre. Antonie Robertson / The National

Medics inside a testing centre in Ras Al Khaimah. Antonie Robertson / The National

Instructions for those who come to be tested at the Ras Al Khaimah drive-through testing centre. Antonie Robertson/The National

A medic waits at the main screening station for the next visitor to be tested. Antonie Robertson / The National

Nurses wait to test people for the coronavirus at a drive-through testing centre in Ras Al Khaimah. Antonie Robertson / The National

A man uses his Emirates ID card to register before taking the test. Antonie Robertson / The National

The Ras Al Khaimah drive-through testing centre will help identify undiagnosed cases in the emirate. Antonie Robertson / The National

The nurses smile as visitors arrive at the National Screening Centre in Mina Rashid, Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

Cars queue up at the National Screening Centre in Mina Rashid, Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

A visitor gets tested at the drive-through centre in Mina Rashid, Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

Nurses sanitise their hands after conducting a swab test. Victor Besa / The National

A passenger waits to get tested at the Mina Rashid centre. Victor Besa / The National

Nick Webster of The National gets briefed by a nurse before he is tested for coronavirus at the National Screening Centre in Mina Rashid, Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

Cars queue up at the National Screening Centre in Mina Rashid, Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

The new screening drive through for COVID-19 in Al Bahyah, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The new screening drive through for COVID-19 in Al Bahyah, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The new screening drive through for COVID-19 in Al Bahyah, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE is mass testing people for coronavirus to identify undiagnosed cases and those who do not show symptoms.

The extensive testing programmes aims to end the outbreak by tracing and isolating new cases and their contacts.

The lab in Masdar City, the first facility of its kind to operate on an extensive scale outside of China, has helped speed up the diagnosis of suspected cases, screening of their close contacts and other high-risk groups.

The country has also boosted testing capacity as thousands visit drive-through centres, with each capable of testing up to 500 or 600 people a day.

More than 32,000 tests were carried out on Tuesday alone.

With such extensive screening in place, who should be tested and how much does it cost?

The National explains.

Who should be screened for the disease?

According to health authorities, anyone who shows symptoms of the virus should be tested.

This includes fever, difficulty in breathing, coughing, headache and a sore throat.

“In addition to the symptoms, they check if you had a recent travel trip or had close contact with an infected person or anyone suspected of being infected,” said the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre.

Is testing free?

Yes, testing is free of cost for people with existing medical conditions, the elderly, pregnant women and those displaying symptoms of Covid-19.

Everyone else must pay a Dh370 fee through the Seha app.

Where can you go to get tested?

Those who wish to get tested can go to any of the 14 drive-through testing centres across the country.

In Abu Dhabi, there are testing centres in Ghayathi, Madinat Zayed, Al Wathba, Zayed Sports City, Al Bahia, and Al Hili and Asharej in Al Ain.

In Dubai, there are drive-through centres in Al Khawaneej, Port Rashid, Al Nasr Club, Dubai Festival City, Al Qusais, Silicon Oasis, Discovery Gardens, Al Warqa and International City.

There are also testing centres in each of the five other emirates.

How is the test performed?

At the drive-through centres, drivers place their Emirates ID cards into a registration machine as nurses take a nasal swab and a temperature reading.

Health departments in the city where the test is performed take care of the process by advising a period of isolation or stay in hospital.

Results are delivered via a text message within 48 hours.

If people test positive, what next?

If the patient is insured, “insurance companies will honour any claims received,” according to instructions issued to hospitals in the UAE.

Those who are uninsured, suspected or are confirmed cases will not foot medical bills at healthcare facilities, with the government bearing the cost.

To book a Covid-19 test, call 8001717 or use the Seha mobile app.