Everything you need to know about Abu Dhabi's quarantine wristband


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Quarantine wristbands are being distributed to all international travellers who arrive in Abu Dhabi and intend to stay in the emirate. The wristband ensures the traveller is adhering to a 14-day mandatory quarantine period to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The free, medically-approved tag is removed at a medical facility after two weeks, subject to its wearer receiving a negative PCR nasal swab test on the day 12 of quarantine.

The travel rules were set out Abu Dhabi Crisis, Emergency and Disasters Committee on Thursday to help track new arrivals and protect public health.

But what if the wearer has an emergency or wants to go to another emirate?

The National explains.

Who must wear a wristband and where do they get it from?

All international travellers who arrive in Abu Dhabi at any entry point with the intention of staying there will be fitted with a wristband. On arrival, all travellers will undergo a PCR nasal swab to test for Covid-19 and must register under a quarantine system to receive the electronic wristband from authorities. The wristband is free.

A man is fitted with an electronic wristband on arrival to Abu Dhabi. This must be worn for 14 days. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
A man is fitted with an electronic wristband on arrival to Abu Dhabi. This must be worn for 14 days. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office

What if I arrive to the UAE in another emirate then go to Abu Dhabi?

If you land in another emirate and then go to Abu Dhabi you will be expected to quarantine for 14 days when you reach the capital.

Authorities at the Abu Dhabi border will ask to see proof of your date of arrival to the UAE. If you have spent less than 14 days in another emirate, you will need to take a PCR test in Abu Dhabi and register for the quarantine system to be given a wristband.

If you spend several days in another emirate before coming to Abu Dhabi, these may be deducted from your quarantine period on arrival to the capital. For example, if you spend four days in another emirate before going to Abu Dhabi, you must spend 10 days in quarantine in the capital.

Tourists arriving in other emirates but heading to Abu Dhabi must also quarantine.

If you spend more than 14 days in another emirate before going to Abu Dhabi, there is no need to quarantine in the capital. You will only need to follow the established border procedure to cross into Abu Dhabi.

Read more on these procedures: Swab test must be taken six days after entering Abu Dhabi

What if I arrive in Abu Dhabi but want to go to another emirate?

You must first undergo a PCR test within 96 hours of travel to Abu Dhabi. Then, on arrival, you must take a DPI laser test and, if negative, can move on to another emirate. You will also be asked to sign a form disclosing your location and agreeing to abide by any regulations in place.

If you have not taken a PCR test within 96 hours to travel to Abu Dhabi, you must first take one and wait for a negative result before going to another emirate.

Thermal scanners at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Airports
Thermal scanners at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Airports

What if I am only planning to stay in Abu Dhabi for a few days (and not 14)?

If you are landing in Abu Dhabi, you will be fitted with an electronic wristband that will not be removed until you have completed the 14-day quarantine. It will not be possible to travel out of the country until you complete that period.

As a result, authorities advise travellers plan their trips accordingly.

Where will I quarantine?

This depends on where you are staying. Your accommodation will be evaluated by authorities on arrival. If you live alone or share a home that allows you to completely self-isolate from others, you will likely be told to quarantine at your residence.

If it is not possible to completely self-isolate from others, you will be asked to check into a hotel or use accommodation provided by authorities.

Families travelling together can quarantine together at home.

Can I go to the supermarket during my quarantine period?

Travellers must stay in their home, hotel or accommodation for the duration of the 14 days, except to get their scheduled PCR test on day 12 and then to have their wristband removed on day 14. You are advised to use supermarket delivery apps for the duration of that time.

What if I have an emergency during the 14-day quarantine?

An inquiry will be made after you have broken quarantine to ensure it was justified.

Do I need to take any more tests after arriving in Abu Dhabi?

Yes. Travellers remaining in Abu Dhabi must take a PCR nasal swab test on day 12 of quarantine. This must be paid for by the traveller.

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How can I leave the house to take a PCR test on day 12?

A representative from Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre will contact you to book a test appointment in a Seha-managed health facilities. The appointment will be made at a Covid-19 Prime Assessment Centre facility at either Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre or Al Ain Convention Centre, or Al Dhafra Hospitals.

When and how will the wristband be removed?

A representative from Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre will contact you to book a removal of the wristband on day 14 of quarantine, after you receive a negative result from the PCR test you took on day 12.

The wristband will be removed at one of the health facilities listed above.

What happens if I don't self-isolate for 14 days or wear the wristband the whole time?

The electronic wristband helps authorities track people under quarantine who may potentially be carrying the virus. Anyone who does not adhere to the new regulations will face penalties and fines, according to a decision by the Attorney General.

See the list of fines here: UAE introduces heavier fines for quarantine offences, including Dh3,000 for not wearing mask

Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE

Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:

• Buy second hand stuff

 They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.

• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres

 Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.

• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.

Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.

• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home

Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.

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The firm’s main hedge fund fell 9 per cent in December, extending this year’s decline to 34 percent, according to an investor update viewed by Bloomberg.

Greenlight posted some of the industry’s best returns in its early years, but has stumbled since losing more than 20 per cent in 2015.

Other value-investing managers have also struggled, as a decade of historically low interest rates and the rise of passive investing and quant trading pushed growth stocks past their inexpensive brethren. Three Bays Capital and SPO Partners & Co., which sought to make wagers on undervalued stocks, closed in 2018. Mr Einhorn has repeatedly expressed his frustration with the poor performance this year, while remaining steadfast in his commitment to value investing.

Greenlight, which posted gains only in May and October, underperformed both the broader market and its peers in 2018. The S&P 500 Index dropped 4.4 per cent, including dividends, while the HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index, an early indicator of industry performance, fell 7 per cent through December. 28.

At the start of the year, Greenlight managed $6.3 billion in assets, according to a regulatory filing. By May, the firm was down to $5.5bn. 

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Defining head lice

Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.

Identifying lice

Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.

Treating lice at home

Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.

Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital

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UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

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Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
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Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
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She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

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