Covid-19 in the UAE: All you need to know about the easing of rules


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

UAE authorities on Friday announced the most significant steps to ease restrictions since the start of the pandemic.

The decisions scrap quarantine for close contacts, remove PCR testing requirements for travellers and lift border restrictions in Abu Dhabi.

But what do the changes mean for people in the UAE?

The National explains.

Face masks

People will no longer have to wear face masks outside, starting from Saturday. The rule applies across the UAE.

However, face masks must still be worn in all public indoor areas, such as shopping malls and schools.

Rules on physical distancing also remain in place.

Close contacts

Close contacts of positive cases no longer have to quarantine.

That means people who know they have been exposed to the virus are now free to leave their homes at any time, but they must take PCR tests for five consecutive days.

In Dubai, close contacts of positive cases who are not experiencing any symptoms do not have to quarantine, and no PCR testing is required.

Mosques

The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority has approved the return of the pre-pandemic time intervals between the first and second prayer calls. The first urges Muslims to come to the mosque, while the iqaamah, the second, occurs just before prayers summoning worshippers to line up.

A limited number of copies of the Quran will be available, but worshippers must keep a physical distance of one metre.

Schools

The full implications of the changes are not yet clear for schools.

It will be up to education regulators to confirm if any changes will be made to quarantine procedures or the use of face masks.

In a statement, news agency Wam said each emirate was free to determine several aspects, including “the quarantine period and PCR tests for Covid contacts in whatever sectors and professions".

Travel

The UAE has scrapped PCR testing for fully vaccinated travellers. Instead, they must only show a vaccine certificate with a readable QR code.

Anyone who is not vaccinated must show a negative PCR test conducted within 48 hours of departure or a recovery certificate with a QR code proving they have had the virus within a month of travel.

Abu Dhabi has scrapped its green list system and removed quarantine for all international travellers.

It will also remove all road border controls from Monday, ending the need to show the Al Hosn Green Pass when entering from Dubai.

EDE scanners will be removed at checkpoints for commuters entering the emirate.

Tracking wristbands

Tracking wristbands that were in use in Abu Dhabi to monitor the movement of people with Covid-19, will no longer be used during home isolation. They were not used in Dubai.

Operating capacities and the green pass

Operating capacities for events, tourist attractions and commercial premises in Abu Dhabi will increase to 90 per cent.

Face masks will still be required indoors and the green pass and EDE scanners will be used for visitors’ and employees’ entry. The need to maintain physical distancing will remain.

In Abu Dhabi Government buildings, the Green Pass will still be required for employees, visitors and contractors. Unvaccinated employees will not be allowed to enter without an exemption.

The Green Pass system will also still be needed to gain access to public places like shopping malls.

The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV

Power: 360bhp

Torque: 500Nm

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Price: from Dh282,870

On sale: now

Need to know

Unlike other mobile wallets and payment apps, a unique feature of eWallet is that there is no need to have a bank account, credit or debit card to do digital payments.

Customers only need a valid Emirates ID and a working UAE mobile number to register for eWallet account.

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The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
New schools in Dubai
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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989

Director: Goran Hugo Olsson

Rating: 5/5

The specs

  Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now

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FA Cup fifth round draw

Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester City
Reading/Cardiff City v Sheffield United
Chelsea v Shrewsbury Town/Liverpool
West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United/Oxford United
Leicester City v Coventry City/Birmingham City
Northampton Town/Derby County v Manchester United
Southampton/Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City
Portsmouth v Arsenal 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
England squad

Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Dominic Bess, James Bracey, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Ben Foakes, Lewis Gregory, Keaton Jennings, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Amar Virdi, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

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Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

Dhadak

Director: Shashank Khaitan

Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana

Stars: 3

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

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ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results

Stage 7:

1. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal - 3:18:29

2. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - same time

3. Phil Bauhaus (GER) Bahrain Victorious

4. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep

5. Cees Bol (NED) Team DSM

General Classification:

1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 24:00:28

2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:35

3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:02

4. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:42

5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45

The Buckingham Murders

Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu

Director: Hansal Mehta

Rating: 4 / 5

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Updated: February 28, 2022, 10:12 AM`