Effective 30 December 2021, vaccinated residents and visitors must have a Green Pass on their Al Hosn app to enter Abu Dhabi. Unvaccinated travellers must present a negative COVID‑19 PCR test result received within 96 hours of entry. In addition, all commuters (passengers and vehicle drivers) travelling to Abu Dhabi will be scanned by EDE devices at the border to gain permission to enter the emirate. The protocols in place at all Abu Dhabi borders could affect your travel times due to anticipated congestions.
Once scanned, anyone with signs that they may have the virus will be sent for a free rapid antigen test which delivers results in about 20 minutes. If the test is positive, those who are residents of Abu Dhabi should isolate for 10 days. They will be fitted with a tracking wristband for this duration.
However, commuters from outside Abu Dhabi must return to the emirate from which they travelled and notify the local health authority of their test result. Anyone entering the Abu Dhabi emirate will need to undertake the EDE scan regardless of whether they have the AlHosn Green Pass.
How does the EDE scanner work?
EDE scanners use advanced technology to rapidly detect potential COVID‑19 cases without storing any personal information. They do so by measuring alterations in electromagnetic waves, using a smartphone connected to a sensor. Electromagnetic wave patterns change when RNA particles of the COVID‑19 virus are present. The results of the scan are therefore near-instantaneous.
The screen on a scanner turns green to show that the person is healthy, whereas an alert in red appears to indicate a possible COVID‑19 infection.
What is the Green Pass?
For vaccinated residents and visitors who receive a negative COVID‑19 PCR test result, their green status on the Al Hosn will be activated for 14 days. After which, their status will turn grey and they will have to take another PCR test.