🗓️ June 24, 2020 – Completion of National Sterilization Program
NCEMA (National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority UAE)
announces that the UAE National Sterilization Program has been successfully completed. The authorities inform that the sterilization operations of public and private facilities will continue, in order to preserve the health and safety of the public, and call all members of society to continue following all precautionary and preventive measures in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Children under 12 years old are now allowed to enter malls, commercial centers and restaurants in each emirate.
Authorities inform that parents must ensure that children between the ages of 2 and 12 years wear masks and follow precautionary and preventative measures at all times, and that the use of masks for children under two years is not recommended.
🗓️ June 24, 2020 – 3d phase of clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccine begins in Abu Dhabi
NCEMA (National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority UAE) announces from the Health Sector that “the vaccine is now in the third stage of testing. If its safety and efficacy is proven, then these clinical trials will be considered a success and a vaccine can begin to be manufactured”.
🗓️ June 22, 2020 – Extension of movement ban for Abu Dhabi Emirate
Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis & Disaster Committee for the Covid-19 Pandemic, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Police and Department of Health, announces the extension of restrictions on entering the Emirate of Abu Dhabi for another week, with exemptions for all types of goods and mail, and permit holders (to apply for a permit: https://es.adpolice.gov.ae/en/movepermit).
The authorities inform also that all residents of Abu Dhabi Emirate are allowed to move between Abu Dhabi’s regions (Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra) starting from 6am on Tuesday, June 23d, and that movement within the emirate follows National Sterilization Program.
Entry of workers to Abu Dhabi Emirate is still prohibited.
🗓️ June 20, 2020 – Abu Dhabi Department of Tourism: “Go Safe” certification program
Abu Dhabi Department of Tourism launches the “Go Safe” certification program, to implement the highest health and safety standards across hotels and tourist destinations, including malls, restaurants, theme parks, and public spaces.
According to the program procedure, all hotels and public destinations have to undertake the guided self-assessment, as per the checklists provided by the Department of Tourism, and self-assessment are verified through thorough site-inspections, conducted by dedicated team, to ensure the compliance to “highest standards of cleanliness”.
🗓️ June 18, 2020 – Amended the age limit for accessing shopping malls, sport facilities and restaurants
The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) announces that, effective from June 18th, only people over 70 years old, instead of 60 years old, are not allowed inside shopping malls, cooperative societies, restaurants and sports facilities. The access ban for precautionary reasons is still effective for children aged less than 12 years old.
🗓️ June 17, 2020 – Travel protocols for citizens and residents
The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) announces a series of conditions and measures regulating the travel of citizens and residents effective June 23rd. All details are explained by Dr. Saif Dhaheri, the Spokesperson for the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority.
🗓️ June 17, 2020 – UAE citizens, residents permitted to leave Abu Dhabi Emirate
Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Committee for the COVID-19 Pandemic, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Police and Department of Health Abu Dhabi, announces that citizens and residents may leave Abu Dhabi Emirate without a permit.
While accessing Abu Dhabi Emirate and moving between Abu Dhabi’s regions are allowed using the permit system.
Entry and exit of workers to Abu Dhabi Emirate is still prohibited.
The Committee informs that precautionary health measures will apply upon entry and that movement within each region is allowed in line with National Sterilization Program timings.
🗓️ June 17, 2020 – Home screening initiative
In a joint statement, Department of Health Abu Dhabi and SEHA, launch a home screening initiative in several residential areas across Abu Dhabi. As reported by Abu Dhabi Media Office in a Twitter thread, the home screening initiative is aimed “to support residents with easy access to healthcare, and support elderly and vulnerable residents by preventing the need to visit test centres”.
🗓️ June 17, 2020 – Opened Cultural sites in the Abu Dhabi Emirate
Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi announces the reopening of select museums and cultural sites in the Abu Dhabi Emirate starting from June 24th.
The sites opening in Abu Dhabi are Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Hosn, Cultural Foundation, while in Al Ain are Al Ain Palace Museum, Al Ain Oasis, Al Jahili Fort, Qasr Al Muwaiji.
🗓️ June 15, 2020 – Extension of movement ban for Abu Dhabi Emirate
Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Disaster Committee for the COVID-19 Pandemic, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Police and Department of Health, announce the extension by one week (starting from June 16th) of the movement ban between Abu Dhabi Emirate’s regions (Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra), and inside and outside of the Emirate. The ban, that applies to all Abu Dhabi residents, including UAE Nationals, is extended by one week.
Exemptions are available by special permit that can be requested applying at the Abu Dhabi Police website: https://es.adpolice.gov.ae/en/movepermit
🗓️ June 10, 2020 – New unified digital platform for COVID-19
In coordination with the Advanced Technology Research Council, the Department of Health launches a unified digital platform to support R&D in the fight against coronavirus. The platform (available at doh.gov.ae/ar/covid-19) aims to collect research activities from across all sectors, encouraging further research and minimizing duplication of data for efficiency.
🗓️ June 9, 2020 – Extension of movement ban for Abu Dhabi Emirate
Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Disaster Committee for the COVID-19 Pandemic, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Police and Department of Health, announce the extension of the movement ban between Abu Dhabi Emirate’s regions (Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra), and inside and outside of the Emirate. The ban, that applies to all Abu Dhabi residents, including UAE Nationals, is extended by one week.
Exemptions are available by special permit that can be requested applying at the Abu Dhabi Police website: https://es.adpolice.gov.ae/en/movepermit
🗓️ June 4, 2020 – Integrated guidelines for hotel establishments
The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority launches an integrated health and safety advisory, outlining all precautionary measures that must be pursued across all hotel establishments to ensure safety and wellbeing of guests. The guide consists of 21 main articles addressing physical distancing measures, cleaning and sanitisation of guest rooms, procedures and protocols for hotel staff and guests and specific regulations for outlets and facilities located inside the hotel establishments such as restaurants, cafes, swimming pools, beaches, health clubs.
🗓️ May 31, 2020 – Easing restrictions on some activities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Committee for the COVID-19 Pandemic and Abu Dhabi Department of Health announce the easing of restrictions for some activities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, provided the “implementation of the required preventive measures and receipt of relevant approvals”.
According to the new provisions:
- malls and mall restaurants are now allowed to open at up to 40% of their capacity (instead of 30% previously announced);
- the reopening of hotel beaches, museums and restaurants outside malls is announced, at up to 40% of their capacity as well.
- It is announced the first stage of resumption of outdoor and singular sport activities such as: horse riding, track cycling, cricket, cycling, athletics, golf, tennis, sailing.
This first stage, starting from June the 1st, involves people in the range 12-60 years old.
🗓️ May 31, 2020 – Abu Dhabi bans travel inside and outside of the Emirate
Abu Dhabi Emergency and Crisis Committee for the COVID-19 Pandemic, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Police and the Department of Health of Abu Dhabi announce a travel ban for one week, as additional containment measure starting from the 2nd of June, inside and outside the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and between the areas of the Emirate: Abu Dhabi City, Al-Ain and Al-Dhafra.
🗓️ May 30, 2020 – Free medical and COVID-19 testing campaign – additional extension
Abu Dhabi Department of Health, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre and SEHA, announces an additional extension of free medical and COVID-19 testing campaign aimed to to residents living in high-density areas.
🗓️ May 30, 2020 – – Guidelines for Abu Dhabi government offices
Department of Government Support issues a set of guidelines for working in and visiting Abu Dhabi government offices, applicable to entity employees, suppliers and customers.
The guidelines in details can be read at the Abu Dhabi Media Office thread on Twitter.
🗓️ May 29, 2020 – – New National Disinfection Program Hours
The Ministries of Interior and Human Resources and Emiratisation announce the new hours for the National Disinfection Program from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
🗓️ May 24, 2020 – New guidelines to reopen hotels in Abu Dhabi
The Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi announces detailed guidelines to reopen hotels in Abu Dhabi. In order to get the permission to reopen, the hotels must comply with rules aimed to guarantee the safety of guests and people working at the hotel. The rules include not only general prescription for social distancing, and frequent sterilization, but also the installation of thermal cameras, integrated with the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority system, and
rules for employees who have to undergo a COVID-19 test before being allowed back to work, to be repeated on a bi-weekly basis.
🗓️ May 20, 2020 – New National Disinfection Program Hours
The Ministries of Interior and Human Resources and Emiratisation announce the new hours for the National Disinfection Program from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in Industrial and Workers’ Residential Cities.
🗓️ May 17, 2020 – New guidelines for resuming work
The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development announces the new guidelines for resuming work at the workplace. The measures state that are eligible to resume work the employees at low risk only, and still working remotely is the advisable option wherever possible.
👉 In the video shared by Abu Dhabi Media Office through Twitter are defined the categories at low and high risk and the protective measures adopted by the UAE Government.
Other guidelines, such as attendance cap at 30%, social distancing and sanitization of work and communal spaces are defined in 👉 the infographics of Abu Dhabi Media Office on Twitter.
🗓️ May 13, 2020 – Free COVID-19 test for UAE nationals and some categories
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has ordered coronavirus, COVID-19 free tests for the UAE citizens and domestic workers.
Other categories having access to free COVID-19 test include: people of determination, pregnant women, residents who are over 50 years old, people with coronavirus symptoms and the contacts of coronavirus patients.
🗓️ May 11, 2020 – Al Hosn app new version
To support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and protect the community, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority and the local health authorities launch a new version of Al Hosn app, for the contact tracing.
The authorities, in highlighting the crucial importance to install the app for all the community, inform that this new version has been updated by implementing a function to remotely monitor individuals in quarantine.
🗓️ May 10, 2020 – Movement Permit System
The Abu Dhabi Police announces the Movement Permit System provided through their website, www.adpolice.gov.ae, in order to issue move permits during the National Disinfection Program hours (Ramadan hours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) to all in need to buy food, medicines, to go to the hospital or to the workplace.
🗓️ May 10, 2020 – Campaign to disinfect COVID-19 ambulances, non-emergency transport vehicles
The Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear administration of the Abu Dhabi Police reports the disinfection of 48,383 ambulances and non-emergency vehicles transporting COVID-19 patients.
🗓️ May 6, 2020 – Access to shopping centers
Ministry of Health and Prevention and the National Authority for Emergency and Disaster Management state that, for safety reasons, people over the age of 60 and children younger than 12 are prohibited from entering shopping malls, cooperative societies, supermarkets and retail stores located outside.
🗓️ May 4, 2020 “Digital Learning for All” campaign
Abu Dhabi School of Government (ADSG) announces with the campaign “Digital Learning for All”, to open its digital learning platform to all residents of the UAE, in line with the campaign “Abu Dhabi Inspires”. The platform provides access to more than 4,000 courses in a variety of fields such as business, health, technology, data science, artificial intelligence, arts and humanities.
On the same day, UAE sports and health authorities announced a further project called Fit@Home, to help residents to stay fit while working from home.
🗓️ April 27, 2020 – ADDED urges owners of industrial, commercial facilities to comply with COVID-19 countermeasures
The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) urges owners and managers of commercial and industrial facilities in the emirate to guarantee the implementation of key measures to help curb the COVID-19 outbreak. The measures include the test of all staff for Covid-19.
🗓️ April 24, 2020 – Visits during Ramadan and exercise outdoor
In a joint circular dated 24 April, the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the National Authority for Emergency and Disaster Management established new guidelines, in accordance with the revised schedules of the National Disinfestation Program.
The guidelines regulate visits during Ramadan and training activities outside (walking, running or cycling), allowed up to a maximum of two hours a day and three people at a time who must maintain social distancing (at least two meters away from each other) and wear the masks.
🗓️ April 23, 2020 – National Disinfection Program hours during Ramadan
On the occasion of the Ramadan, Ministry of Health and Prevention, Ministry of Interior and the National Authority for Emergency and Disaster Management revised the timings for the National Disinfection Program in UAE, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. every day (instead of from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as previously in Abu Dhabi). Buses and public transportation means are disinfected during the weekend to be working again on the April 25th.
🗓️ April 16, 2020 – Free COVID-19 test for workers in Mussafah
The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) announces to set up clinics in Mussafah to guarantee free COVID-19 tests to workers.
🗓️ April 12, 2020 – National Home Testing Program for People of Determination
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces launched the National Home Testing Program for People of Determination, for UAE citizens and residents, to ensure all segments of the community have adequate access to testing facilities.
🗓️ March 30, 2020 – Private Sector Support
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) launches the National Program To Support The Stability Of The Labor Market In The Private Sector (Ministerial Resolution No. 279 of 2020).
For additional information and updates:
MOHRE -COVID19 Procedures
🗓️ March 30, 2020 – National Disinfection Program
The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with local and federal authorities, announce the National Disinfection Program, for the sterilization of roads, buildings, means of public transportation.
The program, initially scheduled until March 29th and then extended to a later date, starts in Abu Dhabi at 8 pm and lasts until 6 am the following day, every day. During this time, in Abu Dhabi the movement of people and vehicles is limited to cases of absolute necessity, such as the urgent supply of food and medicines, and to the circulation of people performing jobs in a vital sector.
🗓️ March 24, 2020 – Suspending distribution of printing material
The National Media Council suspends the distribution of newspapers, magazines and printed advertising material in general, except of distribution to subscribers, distribution in big outlets (provided to be compliant to all the precautions stated by the authorities) and distribution of printed informative material approved by the health authorities regarding awareness.
🗓️ March 23, 2020 – Call to stay at home
The Government of the United Arab Emirates calls for all citizens and residents to stay at home unless for urgent needs such as to get essential supplies (medicines, food) or perform jobs considered vital for the community.
In a joint press release, the Ministry of Interior and the Emergency Management Authority require citizens and residents to strictly follow the instructions of the authorities, avoiding social contacts and crowded places.
Other measures have been applied locally the same day or the very next days, for Abu Dhabi including the following:
👉 maximum of three people can seat in the same car;
👉 citizens and residents must refrain to visit hospitals, unless required for critical and emergency cases;
👉 wearing mask is mandatory in public environments.
Violating such measures is considered a criminal offence and punishable with fines or arrest.
For updates and details: National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority , Ministry of Interior , Ministry of Health and Prevention.
🗓️ March 23, 2020 – Suspending all flights
General Civil Aviation Authority suspends all inbound, outbound and transit passenger flights.
Since the beginning of April, flights are temporarily granted for residents and foreign visitors who wish to return to their home countries, provided that the measures stated by the Ministry for Health and Prevention are adopted.
🗓️ March 22, 2020 – Implementing distance learning
The Ministry of Education implements distance learning, for all schools and higher education institutions.
🗓️ March 22, 2020 – Adopting remote working
The Federal Government, in cooperation with local authorities, adopts remote working system.
🗓️ March 21, 2020 – Closing entertainment destinations
Local authorities order the suspension of events and entertainment activities, with the consequent closure of the related premises, including cinemas, theaters, gyms and swimming pools, as well as main tourist attractions, parks, public and private beaches. For updates: Department of Culture and Tourism.
🗓️ March 19, 2020 – Suspending of sports activities
The General Authority of Sports suspends all sports activities, tournaments and competitions at all levels.
🗓️ March 17, 2020 – Suspending Visas
The UAE announce the temporary suspension of all visas, with the exception of those for diplomatic passports holders. The decision, effective from 19 March 2020, does not apply to those who already have a visa issued prior the above mentioned date. Further details and updates can be checked on the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship website.
🗓️ March 16, 2020 – Suspending prayers in all places of worship
The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority and the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments suspend prayers in all places of worship for four weeks, starting on March 16.
The announced opening date is subject to review.
🗓️ March 15, 2020 – Economic Stimulus Package for the private sector
The Abu Dhabi Executive Council, directed by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, launches Abu Dhabi’s Economic Stimulus package to support the private sector and the community.
🗓️ March 8, 2020 – – School break
The Ministry of Education announces the closure of all schools, kindergartens and higher education, until further notice.
* Sources *
The United Arab Emirates’ Government Portal
Abu Dhabi Media Office
UAE Barq
Emirates News Agency
Official Social Media profiles