The city of Abu Dhabi is still making the necessary measures to reduce and stop the spread of coronavirus. We’re over halfway into 2021, but that doesn’t mean COVID-19 has gone, it’s important for us to continue staying safe, staying home, and staying sanitised. Flattening the curve is *still* a priority, people!

We’ve gathered all the relevant rules for you to follow and remember incase you ever get confused…

What activities are allowed in Abu Dhabi? 

In line with the National Screening Programme, Abu Dhabi Emergency and Crisis Committee for the Covid-19 Pandemic has eased some of the restrictions that were placed earlier on this year. The capacity in malls and restaurants in malls has been raised to 40%. Hotel beaches, restaurants outside malls and museums are also allowed to re-open with a capacity of 40%. 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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It’s also important to note that most restaurants, whether they are outside malls/hotels or not, are strictly seating two-four customers each table. And the tables are following guidelines, being seperated 2m apart. So we advise you to call and book in advance for wherever you may be going! 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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⁣⁣ ‎فندق فورسيزونز أبوظبي في جزيرة المارية وفندق روزوود أبوظبي يعيدان افتتاح مطاعمهما اعتباراً من 1 يونيو 2020، تماشياً مع جهود دائرة الثقافة والسياحة في أبوظبي لدعم إعادة افتتاح المطاعم مع ضمان صحة وسلامة الموظفين والعملاء.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ‪Al Maryah Island’s Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi and Rosewood Abu Dhabi will be re-opening their dining outlets from 1 June 2020. This comes in line with @dctabudhabi’s efforts to support the re-opening of restaurants while ensuring the health and safety of patrons and employees. ‬

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As for exercise, individual outdoor sports practiced in open spaces, such as horse riding, cricket, cycling, golf, sailing and racquet sports, are also now allowed for people aged 12-60, starting from Monday 1 June. Also, anyone may exercise outside their homes for maximum two hours a day, as long as they are seperating themselves by 2m and wearing masks. 

Groups of more than 5 people, or gatherings in general, in either private or public places, are not allowed.

As of 16 July, more beaches and public parks will be opening. Many beaches in hotels have already begun to open up and are accessible to the hotel’s guests.

 

It’s even possible that certain locations will be opening up swimming pools (considering these hot temperatures,) as long as they abide by the rules placed. 

 

Swimming pools must not exceed a maximum capacity of 50% and the same social distancing rules will be applied (this also means that PPE must be kept on.)

 

As of Feb 7 2021, commercial, economic and tourist activities will be capped once again. There will be a closure of movie theatres, and no parties or gatherings will be allowed. 

As of August 20 2021, only vaccinated individuals with a green status on the AlHosn app, children under 16 and those who are exempt from being vaccinated are allowed into public places. Those who are vaccinated with a green status must also take a PCR test every 30 days to renew this status. 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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To add, a fully vaccinated individual must take a booster shot six months after the second vaccine dose to keep the status active. 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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What time is the curfew? 

The city’s curfew has now been changed after the completion of the National Sterilisation Programme. Although the 10pm – 6am curfew has been lifted, Abu Dhabi is still advised to remain safe, and continue abiding by the rules including gatherings and wearing PPE. 

 

As of 15 July, the National Sterilisation Programme has been reinstated. From 12:00am to 5:00am residents won’t be allowed to leave their houses and roads will be closed. 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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What are the PPE-rules? 

Face masks should still be apart of everyday life if you are leaving the house during this time. Only three people are permitted in one car, and they must all be wearing facemasks. As for malls or hotels, you are required to wear a face mask, there are also temperature screenings at each mall’s entrance to further ensure safety. We suggest always keeping an extra mask and bottle of santiser in your bag (especially for those of us who wear makeup and face masks in this heat). 

On 22 September, UAE Barq announced that the Ministry of Health and Prevention will allow removing facemasks in some places while adhering to social distancing rules.

Is it possible to move between Emirates?

As of 23 June, all residents of the Abu Dhabi emirate may now move between Abu Dhabi’s regions (Abu Dhabi, Al Ain & Al Dhafra), but the border to Dubai will remain closed. It was decided that exiting the Emirate may continue without a permit, however the entry of workers to Abu Dhabi is still prohibited. This news came after promising indicators in the number of cases found in Covid-19 tests. 

 

Exemptions are available by special permit under certain circumstances, you may apply for a permit visit here. 

Also, the Abu Dhabi Emergency and Crisis Committee for the Covid-19 Pandemic has announced that entering the Abu Dhabi emirate is permitted for those who have received negative test results in the last 48 hours. This also applies to return residents who are flying back into the country. They will be unable to board a flight without a Covid-19 negative result. 

 

As of 14 July, residents of the Abu Dhabi emirate may move between the regions, however COVID 19 test results must be presented at the border. Travellers to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi can be screened for COVID-19 upon entry by a laser-based DPI technique. A negative result will allow entry to AbuDhabi, while a positive result will lead to further testing through a PCR test.

 

Pre-bookings will be available as well. 

 

As of 25 August, two tests have been approved in order to enter the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Previously commuters were able to enter Abu Dhabi with a DPI test as long as it resulted in a negative result, this test is similar to a blood test and is able to detect anti-bodies in one’s body. However, now commuters must take a PCR test (the nose-swab test,) and may only enter Abu Dhabi if the result is negative.

AD Media Office announced that “entry will be allowed within 48 hrs of receiving a negative PCR test result, or with a negative DPI laser test result accompanied by a negative PCR test result received within 6 days. The Committee states that the same type of test cannot be taken twice in a row within 6 days.” 

 

As of 8 November, new entry requirements into Abu Dhabi have been placed. Other than the regular negative PCR test result that you must show at the border, or ‘invalid’ DPI test, if you are staying in the capital for more than 4 consecutive days then you must take two more PCR tests on the 4th and 8th day of your stay. 

 

Day 1 is counted as the day of entry. And if you forget or fail to take the two other PCR tests in Abu Dhabi then you risk a hefty fine. 

As of 24 December, citizens and residents that are taking DPI or PCR tests and receive a negative result will have 72 hours of entering Abu Dhabi. And if they are staying in the capital for 6 or more consecutive days, they must do a PCR test on the 6th day. 

 

The committee has also approved reducing the quarantine period for those who have been in contact with a positive case to 10 days only, provided a PCR test is taken on day 8 with a negative result.

As of 17 January, new entry requirements have been placed for anyone entering the Abu Dhabi emirate. The committee approved allowing entry to the emirate within 48 hours of receiving a negative PCR/DPI test result. As well as this, if you’re staying in the emirate for 4 or more consecutive days then you must take a PCR on the 4th day, and 8th day. The procedures apply to all UAE residents, except those vaccinated in the national vaccination programmes. 

 

As of 15 July, the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has approved new requirements for entering the emirate of Abu Dhabi as of 19 July. Those who are vaccinated and not vaccinated must take PCR tests on the 4th or 3rd day of their entry into Abu Dhabi depending on how long they’ll be staying there. 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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What if you travel to Abu Dhabi?

As of 17 September, it was announced that international arrivals to Abu Dhabi will still have to adhere to the 2-week quarantine rule. 

 

14 days in quarantine is mandatory for everyone travelling into the capital, and an electronic wristband will be given to the international arrivals at the airport, free of charge. This wristband will ensure quarantine cases are following rules and staying home. 

 

As of 16 May 2021, it has been announced that Abu Dhabi will be lifting its quarantine rules for foreign travellers as of 1 July. They also aim to make the Capital’s border with Dubai more “tourist-friendly.” Previously, those who were flying into Abu Dhabi had to quarantine for 10 days if they did not arrive from a country on the UAE’s green list. 

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