As the UAE moves into the second year of the coronavirus pandemic, rules for the movement of people change as vaccinations and variants emerge.
Abu Dhabi recently updated its travel rules, meaning citizens, residents and guests may not have to quarantine for as long as was once needed.
The National answers your questions on the latest changes and what they mean for you.
I'm a citizen/resident arriving from a country not on the green list
Vaccinated citizens and residents flying into Abu Dhabi from countries not on its green list must now quarantine for five days instead of 10.
A PCR test is required on arrival - which is considered Day 1 - and another on Day 4.
Non-vaccinated citizens and residents must take a PCR test on arrival, quarantine for 10 days and take another PCR test on Day 8.
I'm a citizen/resident arriving from a country on the green list
Vaccinated citizens and residents arriving from green list countries do not have to quarantine but must take a PCR test on arrival and on Day 6.
The protocol applies to all those who received their second vaccine dose at least 28 days earlier, as documented by their Al Hosn app.
Non-vaccinated citizens and residents of Abu Dhabi arriving from green list countries must take a PCR test on arrival without the need to quarantine, followed by PCR tests on Day 6 and Day 12.
I’m a non-UAE resident who's flying in for a job in Abu Dhabi. Do I have to quarantine?
It depends where you are coming from. If you come from a green list country, and there are currently 23 of them, you do not need to quarantine.
But you are required to take a PCR test on arrival and must isolate until the result comes through.
If it is positive, you will be issued with advice on the next steps by authorities.
If the test is negative, you can leave your hotel or accommodation, but you must take further PCR tests on Days 6 and 12, where Day 1 is your date of arrival.
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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. -
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 -
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. -
A passenger receiving an Etihad Wellness kit. Courtesy of Etihad Airways
If I am not travelling from a green list country?
If you are not travelling in from a green list country, you must take a PCR test on arrival.
If it is positive, you will receive an SMS with a date for a second PCR test to confirm the result.
If it is positive a second time, you will be required to isolate in a location that will be decided by doctors. Severe cases are treated in hospitals.
Once two consecutive negative tests are completed, or alternatively the 10-day isolation period is completed with no symptoms in the last three days, you can leave isolation, regardless of the result on the eighth day.
If, however, the PCR test on arrival is negative, you will be fitted with a tracking wristband before leaving the airport and will be required to self-isolate for 10 days.
The wristband will be removed on Day 10, following a negative test result.
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A runner on Abu Dhabi Corniche. Victor Besa / The National -
E-scooter users at the corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
A resident enjoys a bike ride at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Victor Besa / The National -
A resident takes a stroll on Abu Dhabi Corniche. Victor Besa / The National -
A dog owner takes his pet for exercise on the corniche. Victor Besa / The National -
Cyclists were among those seen at the corniche. Victor Besa / The National -
Abu Dhabi residents enjoy returning to the corniche. Victor Besa / The National -
A roller blader on Abu Dhabi Corniche. Victor Besa / The National -
Two women go for a walk along Abu Dhabi Corniche. Victor Besa / The National -
A man goes for a jog along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
A man enjoys a walk at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Victor Besa / The National -
A cyclist at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Victor Besa / The National
I'm a tourist visiting the UAE and want to drive to Abu Dhabi from another emirate
If you have just arrived in Dubai and want to travel straight to Abu Dhabi, you must have a negative test result issued within 48 hours with you and take a coronavirus test at the border.
Travellers from green list countries must take a second test on Day 6, without the need to quarantine. If you are staying 12 days or more, a second test must be taken on Day 12.
For travellers from all non green list countries, a PCR test is required on arrival, as well as on Day 8, in addition to a 10-day quarantine, which is monitored with a wristband. The quarantine may be done at home, in a hotel, or in accommodation provided by the health authorities.
If I have been in Dubai for five days and want to visit Abu Dhabi?
A negative PCR test result issued within 48 hours or a negative laser DPI blood test result issued within 24 hours is required to enter the emirate.
Anyone who has travelled from a non-green list country will have to complete a quarantine period of up to 10 days after they enter Abu Dhabi. But the length of time spent elsewhere in the UAE is deducted from the quarantine period.
For example, if they have spent five days elsewhere in the UAE, they will be required to finish the remaining five days quarantine in Abu Dhabi and take a PCR test on Day 8. The quarantine will be monitored by a tracking wristband.
Those on the green list must take PCR tests on Days 4 and 8, if staying for eight days or more.
If you enter Abu Dhabi with a negative DPI test result, a Covid‑19 PCR test must be conducted on Day 3 after entry and on Day 7 if the stay is for seven days or more.
How long will these rules be in place for visitors to Abu Dhabi?
Not for much longer. Abu Dhabi plans to remove Covid-19 quarantine restrictions for international travellers from July 1, except for visitors from India, and expand its green travel list to boost tourism in the emirate.
"How we are going to move forward in 2021 … Abu Dhabi will be open for everyone with no quarantine protocol starting from July 1," Ali Al Shaiba, executive director of tourism and marketing at the emirate's Department of Culture and Tourism, told The National on the sidelines of Arabian Travel Market in Dubai this week.
“We are going to welcome everybody to Abu Dhabi with a different [travelling] protocol but no quarantine.”
Abu Dhabi launches six self-drive, off-road desert adventures
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Drivers set to explore Abu Dhabi's new off-road adventures should check vehicles are fully serviced and insured for off-road use. All images courtesy DCT Abu Dhabi unless otherwise mentioned -
For safety reasons, only venture into the desert in a convoy of three or four off-road vehicles. -
There are various levels of driving adventures from beginner routes to more advanced options that require techincial driving. Jeff Topping / The National -
The Al Ain to White Sands route is suitable for beginners and drivers are likely to find tracks left by Bedu farmers who traverse this desert terrain daily. -
The Al Ain to White Sands route also offers plenty of dunes for boarding action. -
With camel farms and race tracks dotting the desert, you're sure to see some four-legged creatures. -
The Hameem Loop is a 55-kilometre self-drive route that's aimed at intermediate-level desert drivers. -
The 109 kilometre advanced Liwa Crossing route takes drivers to the desert surrounding Qasr Al Sarab Resort by Anantara. -
Expect slipfaces and deep bowls on the Hameem Loop. -
The Al Khazna Route takes three to four hours to complete. -
Advanced drivers can tackle the Liwa Crossing Route. -
The 67-kilometre Al Remah route is ideal for beginners and takes six to eight hours to complete. -
Al Remah route passes by the Zaman Lawal Heritage Village near Al AIn. Courtesy Telal Resort -
The Umm Al Oush route is a technical drive that offers amazing vistas.
