You’ve arrived in Abu Dhabi, excited to enjoy the brilliant restaurants, eager to explore the world-famous attractions and impatient to get to the beach for the winter sun.
But if you’ve just landed from a country not on the green list, you’ll need to follow strict quarantine rules. For the countries on the green list click here.
For those not on the green list, you’ll need to quarantine for ten days. Here’s everything you need to know about coming into Abu Dhabi.
But now you’re here, and isolating, how to keep entertained? How to eat? How to contact home? Don’t worry because here at Time Out Abu Dhabi we have you covered with our ultimate guide to make time in quarantine whizz by.
For more Time In content and ways to keep occupied if you’re staying home, click here.
How to keep entertained
Starzplay Arabia
Netflix not catching your eye? Prime Video not broadcasting the shows you love from home? Have you thought about Starzplay Arabia? The streaming service hosts a number of hit shows from the Starz channel in the USA including the megahit, Power, its sequel Ghost, Vikings, The Good Doctor, and High Town as well as plenty of classic movies. There is even a kids’ section packed with Disney’s finest work to keep the tiny tots entertained. And even more enticing is the no commitment, seven day free trial, meaning you have access to a new library of content for absolutely nothing. What are you waiting for?
beIN Sports
Worried that you will miss your team while stuck in quarantine? Then relax as beIN Sports has every angle and minute covered. Broadcasting action from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and more, beIN Sports enables the viewer to watch their team on phone, tablet and laptop. And if all that sport and ease of access isn’t enough to convince you to sign up, then the super prices of $4 (Dhs15) for a daily pass or $10 (Dhs37) for monthly pass surely will. So subscribe, pull on your jersey and cheer for your team from the UAE.
OSN
For lovers of series like Game of Thrones, The Wire and Westworld, a trip to UAE doesn’t mean you have to put your binging needs on hold. OSN provides users all of their favourite HBO programmes as well as Disney + Originals, blockbuster movies and Arabic offerings. With a free seven-day trial available, it is well-worth checking out.
Home workouts
It’s important not to neglect fitness, unless you want to do your 10,000 steps by lapping around the living room, a home HIIT or yoga class might be a better option. Abu Dhabi has plenty of gyms offering online and home workout regimes to keep quarantiners active.
How to eat well at home
For those quarantining in a hotel or with family or friends, accessing food and drink will be no issue. However, if you are quarantining alone in an Air BnB or an apartment, food won’t be served right on a plate (pun intended). There are plenty of food apps and supermarkets that deliver food and other essentials right to the front door.
Talabat
From takeaways and groceries to pharmacies and even florists, Talabat is one-stop shop for all your delivery needs. Available on Android and Apple, Talabat’s vast array of options means every user will find something they want. The only problem is that you might struggle on which meal to settle on (we love breakfast food for dinner, anyway).
Deliveroo
It is always nice to see a familiar name when you arrive to a new location and Deliveroo is one such brand. Delivering throughout the UAE, users can get all their favourite takeaways and even Marks and Spencers. What more can you ask for? Make ours a tub of caramel crispy bites and a bag of Colin the Caterpillars.
Carrefour
If you are not in the mood for take away and feel the need to use your culinary skills, why not check out what Carrefour has to offer. The supermarket has a massive range from which to choose and has an express delivery service which guarantees your goods within 60 minutes if you order ten items or less.
How to contact home
Being able to connect with the outside world, particularly family and friends at home, will have a huge effect on how quarantine goes. Here are the video calling apps available.
Zoom
It is incredibly to think but this time last year, very few of us had even heard of Zoom, never mind used it. Fast forward 12 months and the internet calling app is one of the favourite mediums for professional and personal video calling throughout the globe. Available on mobile and desktop, Zoom does not need a subscription and provides the user with 40 minute calls.
Microsoft Teams
Accessible on all PCs and browsers as well as mobiles, Microsoft Teams enables users to talk all day to family and friends for free and to create a group chats of up to 250 people.
Google Meet
Formerly Google Hangouts, Google Meet is the free video-communication service developed by Google. Simply log into gmail, send your invite and become connected.
BOTIM
The UAE’s most popular video calling app, BOTIM provides users with the means to make HD video calls and voice calls worldwide. Supported by du, Etisalat and Virgin Mobile, BOTIM provides all the features found in WhatsApp, so you can send photos, voice messages and video to friends and family around the globe. It’s only Dhs50 a month, too.
For everything you need to know about moving to Abu Dhabi, click here.
