Abu Dhabi’s response to COVID-19 was immediate and, in our opinion, structured according to an accurate strategy based on evident results and best practices applied in the rest of the world.
This strategy was evident from the first measures taken in early March, with the closure of schools, up to the availability of the vaccine in December.
Among the measures taken:
✅ Extension of the PCR test and the facilities for accessing the test through the booking app, establishment of drive-through centers for testing, exemption from payment for some categories.
✅ Sanctions on the unjustified increase in prices for the sale of essential devices such as masks and sanitizing gels.
✅ Management of the initial lock-down.
✅ Strengthening of health facilities.
✅ Measures for frequent sanitation of the city, especially in the most densely populated areas and structures frequented by the public.
✅ Tracking through the Al Hosn app.
✅ Social distancing.
✅ Constant information through institutional social channels (through shareable info graphics) and the monitoring of fake news.
✅ Online services for the community, including public administration services.
✅ Gradual reopening of commercial establishments, according to capacities that allow to maintain safety distances and standards of hygiene and health safety
✅ Measures to support the economy
✅ Free vaccination
All this, trying to maintain the critical balance between health and economic security, and the commitment to protect a community made up of 80% expatriates, of at least two hundred different nationalities.
At the moment, among the provisions in force in the city:
⭕ Provisions for those arriving in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, both from abroad and from other emirates.
⭕ Safety devices, tests, tracking, social distancing are still in force, with heavy penalties for offenders.
⭕ Access to the beach after checking the temperature at the entrance. It is allowed to remove the mask, if you remain in the designated area (delimited by spaced circles) and when entering the water to swim.
⭕ Public transportation, taxis and buses, are required to strictly comply with the sanitary provisions.
⭕ Supermarkets, centers and shops in general: it is not allowed to enter without a mask, the temperature at the entrance is usually controlled, sanitizing gels are always available and recent provisions provide that staff not vaccinated are subjected to periodic tests. Payments with credit or debit cards are encouraged also, to limit contact as much as possible.
⭕ Premises like restaurants and coffee shops have a capped operating capacity that allows to maintain the social distancing. The operating capacity is periodically reviewed, according to contagion data. Furthermore, these premises are equipped with sanitary devices and abide to sanitary rules and procedures, such as temperature control at the entrance.
GoSafe certification for hotels, restaurants, clubs and tourist facilities
GoSafe certification for tourist facilities concerns the application of guidelines, protocols and hygiene and health procedures for the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The certification was first granted to hotels that applied to participate in the program and passed inspections, later extended to restaurants, museums, amusement parks, up to shopping centers.
Insights
🛬 Information and updates for traveling to Abu Dhabi during the pandemic can be found in the article: New rules for traveling to Abu Dhabi >>
📜 A chronicle of the war against the virus, since March 2020 is recorded in the “post-papyrus” Main measures adopted by Abu Dhabi against COVID-19 >>
