People in Dubai can now get tested for Covid-19 while doing their shopping.
Dubai Health Authority set up PCR testing stations at Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif and City Centre Deira, where Emiratis and residents can take a Dh150 nasal swab to check for the virus.
The centres are open 11am to 6pm every day and an appointment can be booked by calling the toll-free number 800DHA (800342).
People with symptoms of Covid-19, including a fever or a cough, should not get tested at the mall to avoid potentially exposing others to the virus.
The testing stations, manned by certified medical staff, should instead be used by people who wish to travel or require a test for another non-medical purpose.
Each station can conduct up to 180 tests a day and results are sent within 24 hours.
The authority said the stations were set up to encourage more people to get tested and as part of the UAE's early detection strategy that aims to identify, isolate and treat Covid-19 cases before the virus can spread.
Humaid Al Qutami, director general of DHA, visited all three stations on Monday with Dr Amer Sharif, head of Dubai's Covid-19 Command and Control Centre, and other local officials.
Mr Al Qutami said Dubai's first line of defence was working day and night to overcome the pandemic. He said all precautionary and preventive measures issued to protect people from Covid-19 are still in effect and called on the public to comply fully.
