Up to date as of the twenty first August.
There have been bodily checkpoints on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai for over a 12 months, ostensibly to examine for any Covid-19 infections from the Northern Emirates. The border could appear unusual to these from exterior of the nation, however you must keep in mind that the UAE is made up of seven Emirates, every of which successfully controls its personal borders. And so Abu Dhabi selected these checkpoints and so they’re nonetheless going sturdy in 2021. They have been not too long ago upgraded on the primary entry level into the Emirate, on Sheikh Zayed Highway. Entry doesn’t take too lengthy, so long as you understand what you’re doing.
And that’s the difficulty, because it’s very exhausting to seek out one place to seek out info on what to do. Initially, I wish to say I can not imagine I’m penning this. There must be a easy web site with all the main points wanted to know how you can get into Abu Dhabi from the Northern Emirates (principally Dubai). However there isn’t, as nobody has taken it upon themselves to do that (no authorities group, medical facility or the like) reasonably than posting stuff on each single social media platform on the market. The very best choices to take a look at for up to date info are the airways (both Emirates or Etihad).
Nonetheless, given the problems of getting in, particularly for individuals who aren’t resident within the nation, I believed I’d share some do’s and don’ts. A minimum of till somebody in authorities comes up with the concept of a web site explaining what to do.
The First Step – the AlHosn App
Let’s begin with probably the most fundamental step. You must have the AlHosn app in your sensible telephone. You can’t enter Abu Dhabi with out this. For anybody primarily based within the UAE, it’s fairly simple to put in. You could find the app on each Apple’s and Google’s app shops. Obtain it, and also you’ll be requested so as to add your Emirates ID quantity in addition to a telephone quantity. The app will obtain your entire vaccination and testing info, which is why it’s important for coming into Abu Dhabi (the border doesn’t settle for some other documentation).
Now, the app isn’t at all times simple to make use of. In the event you’re regionally primarily based and you’ve got points with the AlHosn app, it could be as a result of your Emirates ID doesn’t have the proper telephone quantity linked to it. You’ll need to replace your telephone quantity on the Federal Authority for Id’s web site – you can do this here. You may as well attempt calling the AlHosn workforce on 8004676, however they take an age to select up (in the event that they do in any respect), and so they’re not that useful.
Now, if you happen to’re coming from overseas it’s extra complicated. You’ll need a UAE telephone quantity, in addition to your Emirate Unified Quantity. You possibly can ask for this from passport management, or you can also try the same website. You’ll additionally have to put in your UAE telephone quantity by way of this web site. You’ll need to be affected person because it’s not at all times simple to hyperlink the app to your Unified Quantity. Once we had household over, it labored for a few of them however not for others. And we needed to preserve making an attempt over various days.
Testing to Enter
Okay, after you have AlHosn sorted, you’ll need to get a check to enter Abu Dhabi. You are able to do a PCR nostril check and these at the moment are legitimate for seven day entry for individuals who are vaccinated or 48 hours if you happen to aren’t vaccinated (getting the outcomes normally takes a day), or a DPI blood check at a website near the border (you’ll have to take a left at Ghantoot earlier than the border). The DPI check will probably be with you in a matter of minutes, however it’s solely legitimate for twenty-four hours and it’s essential to do a PCR check the following time you attempt to enter Abu Dhabi. And when you’re in, in case you are staying it’s essential take extra PCR assessments in case you are not vaccinated. In the event you’ve entered with a damaging PCR end result and aren’t vaccinated it’s essential to take extra PCR assessments on days 4 and eight after entry in case you are nonetheless in Abu Dhabi. When you’ve got entered on a DPI check and also you aren’t vaccinated, it’s essential to take PCR assessments on days three and 7. A DPI check can’t be used to enter Abu Dhabi consecutive occasions.
For Vacationers
Now, that is the place it will get enjoyable. In the event you’re trying to come into Abu Dhabi from Dubai and also you’ve simply come into the UAE, you’re going to have a problem. In the event you’ve entered the nation and also you’ve spent lower than ten/twelve days within the nation (I’ve been advised each numbers), you’ll need to go to the Worldwide Vacationers tent on the proper, earlier than the border crossing. They’ll ask to your passport and vacationers ticket (even if you happen to’re a resident). You’ll have to quarantine at a set handle, and also you’ll should put on a watch that’ll give your location always. On condition that AlHosn reveals once you’ve entered the UAE, there’s no method round this. And also you’ll additionally have to do a PCR as effectively earlier than you attempt to enter (you’ll not be allowed to do a DPI blood check).
Your greatest wager is to attend out the primary ten/twelve days of your journey in Dubai, then do a PCR check and enter Abu Dhabi. Or if you must enter Abu Dhabi, fly into the airport. The final time I attempted to return in with guests from exterior the nation (satirically from Bahrain, which has a journey hall and no quarantine for vaccinated Bahraini nationals and residents), I used to be advised three other ways to enter by officers on the border. There’s clearly confusion even amongst workers who’re posted on the checkpoints.
Replace for Journey Hall Nations
Right here’s one helpful enter from Oisin. In the event you’re coming from a Journey Hall nation which has an settlement with Abu Dhabi (at present there are 4 – Bahrain, Greece, Serbia and the Seychelles) and also you haven’t been within the UAE for greater than six days, you’ll be able to go to the Worldwide Vacationers tent and get a one-day go to enter Abu Dhabi. You need to have accomplished a PCR check beforehand (legitimate for 48 hours). When you hit day six of your keep within the nation, you’ll be able to journey as per the above.
That’s it for now. Better of luck coming in, and if I’ve missed something out do let me out.
