Where to get cheap PCR tests in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah

Demand expected to increase in wake of announcement that pupils in UAE secondary schools require negative tests to return to class

Perla Mansour, 4, takes a saliva test before the start of the new school term. All photos: Victor Besa / The National

Mohammed Al Suwaidi gets a swab test in Abu Dhabi as part of the new back-to-school rules.

Many parents have taken their children to Biogenix Labs in Masdar City to take PCR or saliva tests.

The Mansour family from Egypt attended a clinic in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday to get their oldest child tested for Covid-19 before returning to school next week.

Health workers keep the mood cheery for young pupils getting tested.

Special queues have been sectioned off at clinics across Abu Dhabi for school pupils who need to get tested.

Khalifa Al Nahdi, 4, queues for a test.

Pupils will need to show a negative nasal PCR or saliva test result taken within 96 hours before they can return to in-person classes next week.

Health workers hold up some of the many samples taken from school pupils.

A young Abu Dhabi resident gives a saliva sample.

Mohammed Al Bisher, 6, takes a saliva test.

More than a million pupils will return to school in the UAE after the summer break.

Bumper-to-bumper traffic outside Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi.

Parents take their children to Biogenix Labs in Masdar City to take PCR tests.

Demand for PCR tests is expected to surge ahead of the beginning of the new school year next Monday.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority announced on Tuesday that pupils aged 12 and over must obtain a negative PCR test from no more than 96 hours before the start of the new academic year.

What are the new Covid rules for pupils returning to school?

The new rules apply to public school pupils, as well as those in private schools in Abu Dhabi.

New rules for Dubai private school pupils had not been announced on Wednesday.

Free Covid-19 tests will be offered to public school pupils and staff in the UAE.

Mobile testing centres have been established at 226 public schools across the country and free screenings will be available until 10pm from today until Sunday, said public schools regulator Emirates Schools Establishment.

A full list of the testing venues were posted online.

How much are PCR tests in the UAE?

With many people planning on taking late summer vacations, the demand for tests is not expected to subside anytime soon.

For those paying, tests are available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for as little as Dh40 ($10.8) from some test centres, with home testing now widely available as well, for a little extra.

Here is a list of some of the places where you can obtain affordable PCR tests across the emirates.

Where to get the best deals on PCR tests

New schools opening in UAE - in pictures

Dubai

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Aster Hospitals, Mankhool, Sonapur and Qusais

Price: Dh99 for Qusais and Mankhool, Dh60 for Sonapur

Appointment: Walk-in only

Time: Open 24 hours a day

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Seha Covid-19 screening centres at Dubai Parks and Al Khawaneej

Price: Dh50 or free for Emiratis (results within 48 hours)

Appointment: Via the Seha app

Time: 10am to 8pm

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Iranian Hospital Dubai

Price: 50Dh offer for teachers and students upon presentation of student or teacher ID card / Dh120 for everyone else (results within 24 hours)

Appointment: Walk-in only

Time: Open 24 hours a day

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Rizek mobile application

Price: Dh119 (results within 24 hours)

Appointment: Home visit can be booked via the app

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Justlife mobile phone application

Price: Dh129 for test at home (results within 24 hours)

Appointment: Via the app

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Urban Company mobile phone application

Price: Dh84 (results within 24 hours)

Appointment: Via the app

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Drive-through screening centre, Mediclinic Parkview Hospital

Price: Dh150 (results within 24 hours)

Appointment: Walk in

Time: Open 24 hours a day

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General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs

Labourers in need of a PCR test can obtain one at Jafilyia in Dubai

Price: Dh80 (labourers only)

Appointment: Walk-in

Time: 7am to 11pm

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Dubai Health Authority (DHA) PCR testing centres

Drive-through tests that do not require appointment, run by the emirate’s health authority are available at Nad Al Hammar, Nad Al Sheba and Al Mankhool.

DHA has also opened a new drive-through testing centre that requires a prior appointment.

Price: Dh150 for all DHA testing centres

Appointment: Must be made by contacting the facilities directly

Back to school PCR testing in Abu Dhabi – in pictures

Abu Dhabi

Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital

Price: Dh40 (results within 24 hours)

Appointment: Walk-in only

Time: 10am to 5pm

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Medeor Hospital Abu Dhabi

Price: Dh40 (results within 24 to 36 hours)

Appointment: Walk-in only

Time: Open 24 hours

NMC Bareen International Hospital

Price: Drive-through Dh40 (results within 15 hours)

Appointment: Walk-in only

Time: Open 24 hours

Sharjah

NMC Medical Centre, Buhairah Corniche

Price: Dh85 (results within 24 hours)

Appointment: Walk-in only

Time: 9am – 9pm

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Thumbay Hospital

Price: Dh100 (results within 6-8 hours)

Appointment: Walk-in only

Time: 8am – 10.30pm