Abu Dhabi begins scanning for COVID-19 at borders

EDE scanners have been deployed at all border entry points into the UAE capital as authorities approved COVID checks from today.

Officers will use mobile scanners that measure electromagnetic waves to help detect COVID-19 infections.

Commuters who reflect positive on the EDE scanner will be asked to proceed to the nearby antigen test centre, where free tests are given within 20 minutes.

The move is aimed at strengthening efforts to maintain the low COVID-19 infection rate of 0.05 per cent in the UAE capital.

Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has updated the procedure to enter the emirate from within the UAE and approved the use of EDE scanners at entry points. pic.twitter.com/6cRyvfS292

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) December 15, 2021

Al Hosn green passes are not required for entry into the emirate, although, many public spaces mandate the green status.

Previously, negative PCR tests were required to gain entry into the capital. At the peak of the pandemic, movement permits were mandated to use public roads.

However, in September 2021, Abu Dhabi removed all checks at the border owing to the low infection rates and high vaccination count.

The UAE recorded 266 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the total active cases to 3,196. 

The country boasts a 100 per cent first dose vaccination rate and a fully vaccinated population of 91.35 per cent as of December 17. A total of 22,281,418 doses have been administered so far.