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Motorists travelling to Abu Dhabi will no longer be allowed to enter the emirate merely by presenting a rapid DPI laser test.
Travellers must now have a negative PCR nasal swab before being granted access to the capital.
Abu Dhabi’s Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee said the tightened restrictions on access from other emirates would come into force on Thursday.
Under the new ruling, access to Abu Dhabi will be permitted within 48 hours of receiving a negative swab test.
Drivers can still undergo a DPI laser test near Ghantoot – but only if they can present a PCR test result received within the past six days.
The system means commuters could take a PCR swab test at the start of the week, then ‘refresh’ it days later at the Ghantoot screening centre.
But the committee said the same type of test cannot be taken twice in a row within six days.
In July, authorities allowed access to Abu Dhabi to those who had taken a DPI (diffractive phase interferometry) laser test at a screening centre set up in Ghantoot, on the border between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The procedure does not confirm whether someone has Covid-19 – but does show whether the person’s red blood cells are surging to fight an illness.
Initially only available at the Ghantoot centre, the DPI test can now be taken at three locations in Abu Dhabi (Zayed Sports City, Corniche, Laser Screening Centre in Ghantoot), Al Ain (Al Hili Wedding Hall, Al Hili), Dubai (Mina Rashid, Al Khawaneej) and across the Northern Emirates (Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club, Emirates Hospitality Centre in Ajman, and in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah).
The rapid test costs Dh50, while the PRC swab is typically Dh370.
Restrictions on entry to Abu Dhabi have been in force since June 2 to stem the spread of coronavirus. A permit system previously allowed people to enter in some circumstances.
