New COVID-19 Regulations and Laws in Abu Dhabi

The entire world has been exposed to a global pandemic that has turned all balances upside down and changed the lives of many, leading these countries to impose health and preventive measures to protect the members of society, including home quarantine, social distancing, and wearing masks in public places. Like other countries, the United Arab Emirates has issued many laws to protect its people in order to combat this pandemic, and many changes have occurred to these rules to suit the current circumstances. Follow us to learn about the modified COVID-19 laws in Abu Dhabi.

COVID-19 Decisions in Abu Dhabi

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is the strictest when it comes to this virus. It has continued for many months to require all its visitors to undergo a PCR test and obtain a negative result before entering its territory. However, after the increase in the number of people who have received the COVID-19 vaccine in all its forms, these measures have been relaxed as follows:

• PCR testing is no longer required to enter Abu Dhabi from other emirates.
• There is a Green Pass system that indicates vaccinated individuals along with the results of the tests they have undergone to access many public places.
• There is no longer a need for face masks at all times and they can be removed in certain areas and under certain conditions.

Mask Rules and Locations

Wearing face masks in most public places is mandatory throughout the United Arab Emirates with a fine of 3,000 Emirati Dirhams for anyone who does not comply. People must wear face masks while in public places whenever possible to protect themselves from infection. However, there are occasions when you can refrain from wearing them without risking a fine.

Green Pass System in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi has imposed restrictions on access to some public places to vaccinated individuals only, while those who have not been vaccinated cannot access several places, including restaurants, cafes, shopping centers, stores, gyms, sports clubs, health clubs, resorts, museums, exhibition halls, amusement parks, as well as universities, colleges, nurseries, and schools.

It appears that individuals receive the vaccine through the Al Hosn app, and in the event of obtaining a negative swab test result, a green mark appears on the same app, which is valid for 30 days from the date of the swab.

Residents and tourists can also download the Al Hosn app and use it to prove vaccination or show the electronic certificate on their smartphones.

Have the amusement parks in Abu Dhabi reopened?

Life has started to return to normal in the emirate of Abu Dhabi where water parks and other amusement parks have reopened, but with reduced capacity, while adhering to social distancing, mask-wearing, and hand sanitizing in designated areas throughout the premises. Before entering the park or amusement park, visitors must also pass through a thermal scanner.

In regular amusement parks, visitors must wear a face mask at all times, regularly sanitize their hands, and avoid gathering in groups. Cloth masks are recommended instead of single-use masks, as some rides do not allow the use of single-use masks, while in water parks in Abu Dhabi, quick-dry masks are distributed for free.

Hotel and Resort Rules

Some hotels were briefly closed last year amidst a global halt to international travel, and they have reopened with safety measures in place, including mandatory face mask usage, social distancing, and reduced visitor numbers. Buffets have been suspended, but are now available again with the assistance of specialized staff serving food to prevent contamination from visitors' hands. It's worth mentioning that all hotel facilities are regularly and thoroughly sanitized to ensure visitor safety.

Public Parks and Sports Clubs

Public parks and open beaches in Abu Dhabi are still operating at 50% capacity, as are sports clubs, to ensure proper distancing of visitors from each other.

Parties and Gatherings Indoors

In Abu Dhabi, gatherings of up to 10 family members are allowed but they must adhere to specific health and safety procedures. These include wearing face masks and maintaining a distance of at least two meters. Parties and other social gatherings are banned.

A fine of AED 10,000 will be imposed on anyone hosting, inviting, or organizing social gatherings, meetings, private and public celebrations exceeding this number. Guests will also face fines of AED 50,000 each. Up to 20 people can attend funerals and mourning ceremonies, while up to 10 people can attend weddings.

Places of Worship

All places of worship in Abu Dhabi have reopened with a capacity of 30% for mosques, churches, and Hindu places of worship, with strict health measures to prevent COVID-19. However, on weekdays except Fridays, mosques receive 50% of their capacity.

Travel Between Abu Dhabi and Other Emirates

As of now, the suspension of inter-emirate buses by the Roads and Transport Authority is still in effect, but taxi services between emirates are allowed. Up to three passengers are allowed in a taxi that accommodates five people and four passengers in a taxi that accommodates seven people.

Rules for Positive Cases in Abu Dhabi

If an individual is in Abu Dhabi, they will receive a text message directing them to the Al Mafraq Hospital, near Bani Yas, to undergo another swab test. If this result is also positive, they must return to the hospital the next day to be provided with a tracking device to ensure their isolation at home for at least 10 days. If the person has mild symptoms, they will be quarantined at home as usual, with a swab test on the eighth day at home, and their tracking device will be removed on the tenth day. Individuals with more severe symptoms will undergo medical examination by a doctor.

Rules for Vaccine Exemptions

People unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccine need to obtain an exemption from the Ministry of Health and Prevention. There are six types of people eligible for vaccination exemptions:

• Current COVID-19 patients
• Children under 12 years of age
• Pregnant women
• People who recently contracted the virus with medical confirmation
• People vaccinated outside the country
• Those with allergies to vaccines or any of its components, as well as people with conditions that "may conflict with the vaccine," as determined by a doctor

To apply for an exemption, visit the Ministry of Health and Prevention website and fill out the exemption form, including your Emirates ID number. Once completed, the application will be submitted for approval, and the applicant will be notified via a message whether the application has been accepted or rejected. Once approved, the exemption will appear on the Al Hosn app.

Tourism in Abu Dhabi Amid COVID-19

Abu Dhabi welcomes international tourists to the capital, but travelers will need to present a negative swab test result received within 96 hours of their departure date and undergo a second swab test upon landing in Abu Dhabi and download the Al Hosn app.

Quarantine has been lifted for vaccinated individuals traveling to Abu Dhabi, as well as for unvaccinated individuals coming from one of the countries on the green list, and instead, they are required to undergo a swab test.

With that, we have provided a clear and detailed overview of the new rules and regulations in Abu Dhabi related to the COVID-19 virus. Stay tuned to stay informed about everything new in the UAE.