Covid-19 testing booths in malls in Dubai are proving popular with residents, with appointments now required because of the high demand.
Dubai Health Authority this week set up PCR testing sites in three Majid Al Futtaim malls – Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira and Mirdif City Centre.
More than 150 people showed up for walk-in screenings on the first day the centre at Mall of the Emirates opened. Owing to the unexpectedly high demand, appointments were made mandatory shortly after.
This is the first time testing has been made available in malls. Usual locations previously included drive-through screening facilities and hospitals.
For Dh150, citizens, residents and tourists can undergo a nasal swab test from certified staff and receive results within 24 hours.
The National visited the testing booth in Mall of the Emirates on Wednesday.
A single micro-clinic can be found near one of the entrances of the mall, where people with an appointment can wait in a physically distanced queue.
Anto Antony, 31, a sales executive who works in the mall, made an appointment through the DHA mobile app and took the test during his lunch break.
“Taking a test here is very helpful because I don’t have to go anywhere far and I can take it here during my break,” he said.
“I’m travelling this weekend to India and this has made things really convenient for me.”
The test is free for people aged 50 and above, those with chronic illnesses, Emiratis and GCC nationals, people with disabilities and anyone with an Emirati mother.
Those who have symptoms of Covid-19, including a fever or a cough, are advised not to get tested at the mall to avoid potentially exposing others to the virus.
Testing at the mall is recommended for people who wish to travel or need to be screened for another non-medical purpose.
Alice Juma, also in sales, got tested on Wednesday so she could travel.
“Malls are popular here. There’s everything – banks, shops, supermarket and now you can even get a Covid-19 test,” said Ms Juma, 39, from Kenya.
“Malls are kind of like a lifestyle for a lot of people here and it is a convenient location for many to get it done, because it is close by and you get to do your shopping after or before.”
The stations were introduced as part of nationwide efforts to increase testing across the country and contain the spread of the virus.
Bookings for a Covid-19 PCR test appointment can be made via the DHA smart phone app or by calling 800342.
More information is available on the DHA website.