Abu Dhabi's easing of rules could be balanced out by new precautions, official says

Authorities say testing could be stepped up to ensure there is no spike in Covid-19 cases

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Medical staff testing patients for Covid-19 at Advanced Centre for Daycare Surgery. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

Any relaxation of coronavirus measures in Abu Dhabi could be balanced by “additional precautions” such as a step up in testing.

On Wednesday, the emirate announced plans to lift most restrictions within two weeks.

Authorities confirmed Abu Dhabi would resume “all economic, tourism, cultural and entertainment activities” within the period.

They have not yet set out what changes could be made.

But a statement released by the government media office said the “potential easing of some measures may come with additional precautionary requirements, such as further testing for those it applies to”.

“Details of each change will be announced on a case-by-case basis in due course,” it added.

A number of restrictions remain in the emirate, including a border with Dubai, a 14-day mandatory quarantine for tourists and capacity limits in tourist attractions.

Theme parks are still operating at 30 per cent, while Louvre Abu Dhabi is permitted to admit up to 40 per cent of visitors.

There is still also an 80 per cent cap on restaurants, with a limit of four diners per table, which must be spaced two metres apart.

Police officials said on Wednesday there were no plans yet to stop checks at the border, where drivers entering from Dubai must present a negative PCR nasal swab test.

“We have a robust and proven infrastructure in place, including accessible and affordable mass testing for the entire population, high-tech early detection methods, world-class healthcare and a vaccine,” said Dr Jamal Al Kaabi, the undersecretary for the Department of Health Abu Dhabi.

On Wednesday the UAE officially registered China's Sinopharm vaccine for use after Phase 3 trials found it was 86 per cent effective against coronavirus.

An analysis showed the vaccine had 100 per cent effectiveness in "preventing moderate and severe cases of the disease".

"Furthermore, the analysis shows no serious safety concerns", said the Ministry of Health.