Abu Dhabi removes border EDE scanners and requirements for green pass
This will be the first time in 2022 that UAE travellers will be able to enter Abu Dhabi without the EDE scanners and the Al Hosn green status requirement.
Abu Dhabi, TGO: Abu Dhabi removes border requirements for entering the emirate from Monday February 28. Those entering the capital from within the UAE will no longer need a green pass on the Al Hosn app and EDE scanners will no longer be used at the border.
The major COVID-19 news comes into effect on Monday February 28. The news was announced by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters committee that the removal of EDE scanners and requirements for Al Hosn green pass to enter Abu Dhabi from within the UAE would take effect early next week.
This will be the first time in 2022 that UAE travelers will be able to enter Abu Dhabi without the EDE scanners and the Al Hosn green status requirement.
The news comes as the UAE has had a significant decrease in COVID-19 cases combined with high vaccination and booster jab rates.
Wondering about the Al Hosn green status in the rest of the Abu Dhabi? The green pass will still be used to enter public spaces in Abu Dhabi. Green pass validity is currently 14 days. This still means that people need a PCR test at least every two weeks to maintain green status on the Al Hosn app, which will allow them to enter public places such as malls and restaurants.
The major Abu Dhabi border change comes at the same time as it was revealed that UAE restaurants are able to return to 100 percent capacity. The decision is in line with the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management. As of this writing, Abu Dhabi had set event capacity to 90 percent in the capital.
Abu Dhabi had previously announced the new entry rules for UAE travelers in December. Abu Dhabi’s National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee (NCEMA) had stated that from December 19, 2021, EDE scanners would be used to detect potential COVID-19 cases at the border. People with potentially positive COVID-19 cases were referred to an on-site testing centre and given a free antigen test, with results available within 20 minutes.
From December 30, 2021, vaccinated people entering Abu Dhabi were required to show green status on the Al Hosn app. Those who were unvaccinated and wished to enter the emirate from within the UAE, had to present a negative PCR test result received within 96 hours.
Stay tuned to Time Out for all the news about COVID-19 restrictions and the latest from the capital and the UAE.
