Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi travel rules for children clarified

Children under 18 are not required to wear tracker bracelets and some are exempt from PCR tests on arrival

The rules on how long visitors to Abu Dhabi spend in quarantine depend on where they are travelling from. Getty. 

An airport worker escorts a passenger through Abu Dhabi International Airport. All photos by Victor Besa / The National

A passenger wearing a face mask checks in at the Etihad counter

The drop-off area at Abu Dhabi airport's main departures concourse

Passengers queue for check-in for repatriation flights

A traveller has his passport checked by security in the departures area

Staff are hosed down with a mild disinfectant before entering public areas

Etihad staff check passengers in during a media tour for The National in July

Etihad staff check passengers in during a media tour for The National in July

The airport has handled hundreds of flights in recent months but tourists have not been able to secure a visa since the borders closed in March

The airport has handled hundreds of flights in recent months but tourists have not been able to secure a visa since the borders closed in March

Passengers at the Etihad check-in desk

Arrivals can expect strict hygiene measures and must quarantine for 14 days on arrival

Passengers at the Etihad Check-In area at Abu Dhabi International Airport

Health authorities clarified testing and quarantine rules for children travelling into Abu Dhabi from another country.

Last month, Abu Dhabi government updated travel rules and introduced new measures for countries deemed safe and added to the green list. But how do these rules apply to children?

In response to questions from The National, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre gave these answers, which they said were subject to change:

What are the rules for children travelling from a green list country?

Children under 12 who travel to Abu Dhabi from a country deemed safe by the emirate are exempt from taking a PCR nasal swab test on landing. They are also not required to quarantine at home for 10 days.

Children aged between 12 and 17, like adult travellers to Abu Dhabi, do not need to quarantine but will need to take a PCR test on their sixth and 12th consecutive day in the UAE capital.

What are the green list countries?

The green list, issued by Abu Dhabi government in December, is updated every two weeks with countries from which people can travel to the emirate without needing to quarantine on arrival. Travellers to Abu Dhabi from these countries will need to be tested on day 6 and 12, if they are spending at least 12 consecutive days in the emirate.

The list includes: China, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Kuwait, Macao , Mauritius, Mongolia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Oman, Qatar, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, St Kitts and Nevis, Taipei and Thailand.

What are the rules for children travelling from a non-green list country?

Children aged 12 to 17 must quarantine at home for 10 days and undergo a PCR test on the eighth day. This is the same rule for adults, although anyone aged 18 and above must also wear a tracker bracelet.

If the traveller is under 12, they are exempt from the PCR test but will need to quarantine for 10 days.

Do children need to wear tracking bracelets?

No. No matter if they travel to Abu Dhabi from a green-listed country or not, children aged up to 17 will not need to be fitted with a tracker bracelet.

If they are required to home quarantine, they will do so without a tracker.

What are the rules for adults travelling into Abu Dhabi?

Unvaccinated residents travelling to Abu Dhabi must present a negative PCR test, received within 96 hours of their scheduled flight time. On arrival, they will undergo another PCR test and, depending on where they have come from, will either need to quarantine until their negative result comes out, or quarantine at home with a tracker bracelet for 10 days.

Tourists travelling to Abu Dhabi must present a negative PCR test, received within 96 hours of their scheduled flight time. On arrival, they will undergo another PCR test. If coming from a green-list country, they must self-isolate until they receive a negative result. Those intending to stay in Abu Dhabi for up to 12 consecutive days must undergo a PCR test on day 6 and on day 12.

People who have had both doses of a vaccine or took part in the Sinopharm vaccine trials do not need to quarantine on arrival in Abu Dhabi from abroad.

Trial volunteers and people who participated in the National Vaccine Programme must undergo a PCR test only on arrival into the emirate.

Do vaccinated parents have to quarantine after travelling to Abu Dhabi with their children?

No. Only their children, depending on their age, will need to quarantine at home for 10 days.