Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi clarifies quarantine requirements for international travelers

Authorities have further clarified COVID-19 quarantine guidelines for international travelers arriving in Abu Dhabi amid the coronavirus outbreak.

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All passengers arriving in the United Arab Emirates’ capital on international flights are required to quarantine for 14 days and must wear an electronic tracking bracelet, according to the latest update released by the Abu Dhabi Media Office on Thursday.

Even those who plan to spend less than two weeks in the emirate are required to quarantine and therefore are urged to plan their visit accordingly.

Representatives will provide a bracelet at no extra cost to all travelers upon arrival in an effort to track quarantines and ensure compliance with the procedures.

“The electronic wristband helps to track home quarantine cases and to ensure compliance with quarantine procedures, in order to ensure the health and safety of travelers and community members and to avoid the spread of infection,” the Department of Health said in a statement.

Quarantine location, requirements

Quarantining at a home is permitted given a person is living alone. Family members would be allowed to quarantine in a single home if they were traveling together, according to the latest guidelines. If authorities find that the accommodation is unsuitable, travelers will be asked to check in to a hotel or a location provided by authorities.

Abu Dhabi international travelers arriving in another emirate

Authorities clarified that even if international travelers arrive in one of the other emirates but plan to go to Abu Dhabi, the 14-day quarantine requirement would still apply “whether they are entering through Abu Dhabi entry points or through entry points in other emirates.”

However, time spent in another emirate prior to entering Abu Dhabi will be deducted from the 14-day quarantine requirement. If an international traveler arrives in another emirate and spends six days there before entering Abu Dhabi, he or she would then quarantine for eight days instead of 14 in the capital.

Arriving in Abu Dhabi but directly going to another emirate

Those arriving in Abu Dhabi but directly leaving to another emirate are required to provide a negative PCR result of a test taken within 96 hours of flight departure time, as are all other travelers arriving in the capital.

For those directly leaving the emirate after arrival, a laser DPI test is required at the airport and travelers must wait for the results before being allowed to leave. A signed declaration form stating one will adhere to all precautionary measures is also required. A contact phone number and full address of where travelers will be staying – whether a home or hotel – must be provided to authorities as well.

Visiting another emirate during Abu Dhabi quarantine period but departing from Abu Dhabi

Travelers are allowed to leave Abu Dhabi during their quarantine period to visit another emirate. However, if they wish to return in order to catch a departure flight, they must follow entry guidelines which require taking a new PCR test within 48 hours of entry and providing a negative result. A confirmed flight reservation is also required for re-entry.

Procedures for discharge from quarantine

Travelers must take a PCR test on the twelfth day of quarantine, according to the latest guidelines.

A representative from the Abu Dhabi Public Health Center will contact those in quarantine in order to schedule a test appointment at one of three SEHA health facilities. Travelers will be responsible for the cost of the test.

Once a negative result becomes available, a representative will contact the travelers and arrange for removing the electronic tracking bracelet sometime on the fourteenth day of quarantine.

Fines for breaking rules

Those who remove the tracking bracelet, don’t follow precautionary measures, or fail to quarantine will be fined, according to the health department.

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