Abu Dhabi eases border entry rules for vaccinated people

New rules for people travelling to the capital from other emirates will come into force on Friday

A police checkpoint on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border in 2020. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Police

Congestion at the border into Abu Dhabi from Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road as police check motorists for permits. A ban on travel in and out of Abu Dhabi began on June 2. Pawan Singh / The National

Officers check motorists for travel permits as they enter Abu Dhabi from Dubai. Courtesy: AD Police

A picture taken with a drone shows cars queueing before a security checkpoint on the E11 highway, between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. EPA

A picture taken with a drone shows cars queuing before a security checkpoint on the E11 highway, between Dubai and Abu Dhabi on June 6. EPA

A picture taken with a drone shows cars queueing before a security checkpoint on the E11 highway, between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. EPA

Traffic builds up on Sheikh Zayed Road as police check motorists for movement permits to enter Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

Tailbacks on Sheikh Zayed Road as motorists wait to enter Abu Dhabi while police check for movement permits. Pawan Singh / The National

Police check motorists for permits to travel in Abu Dhabi from Dubai as a temporary movement ban comes into force. Pawan Singh / The National

Traffic builds up on Sheikh Zayed Road as police check motorists for movement permits to enter Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

Tailbacks on Sheikh Zayed Road as motorists wait to enter Abu Dhabi while police check for movement permits. Pawan Singh / The National

Traffic builds up on Sheikh Zayed Road as police check motorists for movement permits to enter Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

Abu Dhabi has updated its border entry rules for vaccinated people.

The emirate's Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Committee announced those who are inoculated or took part in clinical trials for vaccines can enter the capital if they have green pass status and an active E or star icon on the Al Hosn app.

E and star status will remain active for seven days after a negative PCR test.

The new protocols will come into effect on Friday.

"No further testing after entering Abu Dhabi is required for those vaccinated and participants in a clinical trial with green pass and an active E or star icon on Al Hosn if remaining in the emirate. Visitors from abroad should also follow the relevant travel protocol," the committee said.

"The current testing procedures for those unvaccinated to enter the emirate remains the same. This requires a PCR test within 48 hours of entry or a DPI test within 24 hours of entry, as well as multiple additional tests if remaining in the emirate."

The new measures ease entry restrictions for those who have been immunised against Covid-19.

Last month Abu Dhabi issued new directives requiring every person travelling to the emirate to present a negative PCR test result received within 48 hours or a negative result from a DPI test no more than 24 hours earlier, regardless of their vaccination status.

Earlier on Thursday, Abu Dhabi ended the nightly stay-at-home order from August 19.

The restrictions under the National Sterilisation Programme ran from midnight to 5am and were in place since July.

The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee said the programme had achieved its objective.

Authorities thanked the public for its co-operation and advised everyone to continue to adhere to precautionary measures to protect public health and safety.

The relaxing of some Covid-19 measures comes as daily infection rates continue to decline.

The UAE recorded 1,077 cases on Thursday, its lowest daily tally this year.