Al hosn apps, pcr tests and more when travelling to Abu Dhabi.
The capital has seen a dramatic change in recent weeks to rules and regulations for those travelling to Abu Dhabi from land and air and it’s fair to say it can be hard to keep up.
Going on holiday should be fun and mostly stress-free so Team Yalla is answering all you need to know before you board your flight or hop into the car.
Here is a quick guide to all you need to know before travelling to Abu Dhabi.
Travelling to Abu Dhabi by air
If you are flying to the capital, the good news is that the need for a pre-departure PCR test before you take your seat on the plane has been removed if you are fully vaccinated.
On 26 February, Abu Dhabi authorities scrapped the Green List system which dictated when you needed to undertake your follow-up PCR test. The move also saw the removal of mandatory quarantine for non-vaccinated passengers travelling to Abu Dhabi from a non-Green List country.
On 7 March, the PCR test on arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport was no longer needed for travellers. You can still undergo a test at the airport if you wish for the price of AED 40.
On a side note, a pre-departure test when you are leaving Abu Dhabi has also been removed, however, you must check the requirements of your next destination.
Fully vaccinated passengers travelling to Abu Dhabi
As mentioned above passengers coming to the capital do not have to undergo a pre-departure PCR test should they be fully vaccinated or carrying a recovery certificate with a QR code dated within 30 days.
Unvaccinated passengers travelling to Abu Dhabi
If you fall into this category, you will need to present a negative PCR test result that has been conducted within 48 hours of departure or show a COVID-19 recovery certificate, replete with QR code, dated within 30 days of getting onboard the plane to Abu Dhabi.
How do you prove you been vaccinated?
While the major headache of PCR tests has been removed from travelling to Abu Dhabi, tourists will still have to prove that they are fully vaccinated in order to obtain a vaccine certificate.
You will have to register your documents on the ICA website five days prior to departure. The good news is that the turnaround on confirmation is extremely fast with most people receiving their approval within a few hours. You can do this via the ICA app or the ICA website.
You will be asked to fill in a form under the Register Arrival section; this is where you will upload your vaccination certificates. When you have submitted your details, you will receive a SMS with a link to download the Al Hosn app. It is important to use the same phone number that you have registered with the ICA on the Al Hosn app.
To complete the process of setting up you Al Hosn app, you will need your UID number which will be provided to you at passport control. But should you forget to ask, you can also check the ICA website.
Why do I need the Al Hosn app?
If you are travelling to Abu Dhabi, then the Al Hosn app will be your most important application on your phone. Without it, you won’t be doing much in the capital. Everyone in Abu Dhabi must present the Al Hosn app with a green pass in order to gain entry to public places such as hotels, restaurants, parks or beaches.
The app stores all your vaccination and PCR testing history and will show green if you have conducted a negative PCR test within the last 14 days; grey if you have not conducted a PCR test within the last 14 days; or red if you have tested positive for COVID-19.
It’s important to note that only PCR tests conducted in the UAE will provide you with a green pass on your Al Hosn app so conducting a test at the airport (which has the fastest turnaround) is advised.
It’s free to download and is available on Apple and Google Play.
Children under the age of 16 do not need to download the app if they are travelling to Abu Dhabi.
If you have issues with your Al Hosn app
Should you require any assistance with your Al Hosn app while travelling to Abu Dhabi, call ISTIJABA on 800 1717.
Tested positive travelling to Abu Dhabi
If you have unfortunately tested positive for COVID-19 on your trip to Abu Dhabi then you will be instructed to carry out another PCR test. If you have severe symptoms, are over 50, pregnant or suffer from a chronic disease, you will be instructed to go to a Prime Assessment Centre for a medical check.
If you do not fall into any of the aforementioned categories, you can undergo a PCR test at any health centre in the emirate and isolate. If the follow-up test is positive, you will then need to isolate for 10 days.
If you receive a negative you will need to retest again within 24 hours and if that test is negative, you may leave isolation.
As of Saturday, 26 February you will not have to wear a tracker watch if you have contracted COVID-19 but you will need to isolate for 10 days.
Those who come into close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 will need to conduct a PCR test on the first and seventh days or when symptoms start to show following notification
Travelling to Abu Dhabi by road
As of Tuesday, 29 March if you are entering the emirate by road, you will not need to undergo a pre-departure PCR test in the country of origin. You will however, have to undergo a Exponential Deep Examination scan and will only be permitted to enter when results return a negative outcome.
Do we need to wear facemasks in Abu Dhabi?
As of 26 February, it is now optional to wear a facemask outdoors. However, you must wear your facemask when inside and travelling in a taxi or bus.
For all the latest travelling to Abu Dhabi news, follow Yalla – Abu Dhabi Life
