On June 28, the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship announced that every UAE resident coming back to the country will have to pass an obligatory COVID-19 test.
Reportedly, “residents, who don’t have a valid negative COVID-19 test taken within 72-hours of departure, will not be permitted to board on aircraft”. Also, it was said that the COVID-19 test results will be accepted only if taken by UAE accredited laboratory. The list of certified laboratories will be posted on smartservices.ica.gov.ae.
According to the post of NCEMA UAE on Twitter, “preparations are ongoing for additional countries and cities to be added in the next few days and will be announced as part of the second and third phases. Accredited laboratories on the list ‘are aware of the time constraints and will deliver results digitally”.
Provided not having tested at an accredited laboratory, a resident will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival to UAE. All returning residents will have to stay at home or another facility for 14-days quarantine period. Costs will be primarily covered by the individual. And as usual, all returning residents must download the ALHOSN tracking app.
Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, also known as COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus which is causing illness in humans and animals. Most people infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus will feel mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without any special treatment. Older people, as well as those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, cancer or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness, and require immediate assistance. Novel Coronavirus was first identified in a cluster with pneumonia symptoms in Wuhan city, Hubei province of China, quickly spreading around the world. On early March 2020, the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic had officially started, becoming the defining global health crisis of our time. Today, it is the greatest challenge people have faced since World War II, worsened by subsequent lockdowns of whole countries, collapse of entire industries, and a major economic recession.