The regulations for travellers visiting Abu Dhabi have been updated.
Both international travellers and UAE residents and citizens must adhere to the latest regulations to enter the emirate.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Abu Dhabi residents flying to Abu Dhabi Airport
Residents in Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates (excluding Dubai) need to register with the ICA and have a negative COVID-19 test result within 96 hours of arriving in the city.
Residents will undergo another COVID-19 test upon arrival in Abu Dhabi and will be expected to quarantine for two weeks.
In addition, all incoming passengers at Abu Dhabi Airport will be given a tracking wristband and will be expected to quarantine for 14 days and get a PCR swab test on the 12th day.
If a negative COVID-19 test is confirmed after 12 days, the wristband may be removed by making an appointment with SEHA on the 14th Day, once quarantine is completed.
[Subhead] UAE residents and tourists flying to Abu Dhabi Airport
Dubai residents, at this time, still need to apply to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) for approval to return to any airport in the UAE.
Residents from other emirates not residing in Abu Dhabi will need to present a negative COVID-19 test from the past 96 hours and must take a laser test.
If negative, residents will be asked to sign a form saying where they’re going and agreeing to follow all regulations as outlined above.
Tourists are currently not able to fly to Abu Dhabi. Arrivals at Abu Dhabi International Airport should be residents or those coming for work with visa applications in progress.
Those wishing to visit the UAE for tourism can fly to Dubai.
Flying to Dubai or other emirates
Dubai is open to tourists and Abu Dhabi residents can fly to Dubai before making their way to Abu Dhabi.
Dubai residents, at this time, still need to apply to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) for approval to return to any airport in the UAE, including Dubai.
For Abu Dhabi residents entering the UAE in Dubai or other emirates and planning to drive to Abu Dhabi, further regulations are in place.
See the next section for the updated rules.
Driving to Abu Dhabi from other emirates
All passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi through any port of entry in the UAE, are required to present a negative COVID-19 test prior to departure, will have to take a second test on arrival and must register under the quarantine system, receive a tracing wristband and quarantine for 14 days.
Anyone who has entered the UAE outside Abu Dhabi but wants to go to the capital must follow the same regulations outlined above.
However, any days spent in the country before crossing the Abu Dhabi border will be deducted from the 14 quarantine days.
Passengers spending more than 14 days in the UAE before visiting Abu Dhabi are not required to get the wristband or quarantine, but still require a negative COVID-19 test to enter the emirate.
Residents visiting Abu Dhabi from other emirates who have not recently travelled abroad and are not in quarantine are able to do so by presenting a negative COVID-19 test at the border.
The full list of regulations is outlined here.
Who can I contact to answer my questions?
The following government institutions can answer your queries as well as all airlines flying to the UAE.
The Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship: www.ica.gov.ae/en/home.aspx.
General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs: gdrfad.gov.ae/en.
For the latest news and announcements stay tuned to Time Out Abu Dhabi.
