The validity of the Al Hosn Green Pass has been extended to 14 days, after an announcement by the National Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA). To preserve the Al Hosn status ‘green,’ you’d have to take a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test every 14 days.
But, in the event that someone tests positive for COVID-19, when do you need to employ the Al Hosn Green Pass status, and what are the most recent recommendations for isolation and quarantine? Here’s a rundown of the most recent announcements made by the UAE government.
Al Hosn Green Pass valid for 14 days
NCEMA held a press conference on June 13 to announce that the Green Pass’ validity had been shortened from 30 days to 14 days.
This means that if you receive a PCR test and it comes back negative, your Al Hosn status will remain green for 14 days. The status will turn grey after the 14-day time has passed. You’d have to retake a PCR test to obtain your green status back.
Does one need a Green Pass to enter Abu Dhabi?
While you will not be required to present a Green Pass to pass the Abu Dhabi border on Al Hosn, you will be required to do so to use public facilities in the Emirate.
Wearing a face mask indoors
Indoors, you must wear a face mask as well. To avoid infection, NCEMA advised community members to wear face masks in crowded outdoor places and indoor spaces.
A fine of Dh3,000 will be imposed if a face mask is not worn indoors or in busy public locations.
What happens if one test positive for COVID-19?
If you test positive for COVID-19, you must follow the rules set forth by the health authority in your Emirate. Here’s a rundown of the guidelines you’ll need to follow if you’ve tested positive for COVID-19:
Dubai
According to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the following are the guidelines for positive COVID-19 cases:
- If you’re working, immediately isolate yourself in a different room after receiving a positive PCR test, and notify your direct manager and HR department.
- Download and install the COVID-19 DXB App, then follow the on-screen instructions.
- Even if you are symptom-free, you must complete the 10-day home or institutional isolation period. Once the isolation period is up, you won’t need to take another PCR test.
- If you start to notice symptoms, call the DHA toll-free hotline at 800 342 to schedule a virtual medical consultation through the “Doctor for Every Citizen” service or a visit to a COVID-19 assessment center.
- You will receive a clearance certificate via SMS after the isolation period has ended.
- If you are unable to meet the requirements for home isolation, you can call the DHA hotline at 800 342 to request a transfer to a facility for institutional isolation.
When does the isolation period end?
- After ten days have passed since the PCR test was taken.
- When any symptoms, if any, fade away.
- The patient has had no symptoms or fever for a minimum of three days by the tenth day (without using fever-reducing medicine).
Abu Dhabi
The wristband requirement for home quarantine was eliminated on February 25 by Abu Dhabi’s Emergency, Crisis, and Disasters Committee.
If you test positive, the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) recommends that you take the following steps:
- High-risk categories
Those aged 50 and up who have symptoms, have a chronic ailment, or are pregnant have been advised to go to one of the authorized COVID-19 Prime Assessment Centres for medical evaluation and isolation measures.
To end isolation, you must:
– Get two negative findings within 24 hours of each other.
– Or a 10-day isolation period completed with no symptoms for the final three days.
- Other categories
Those with mild or moderate symptoms who do not have a chronic condition should take the following steps:
- Confirm infection with a retest within 24 hours of the first positive result and continue to isolate. You can take the retest anywhere in the Emirate and then self-isolate at home until the results of the second test come back.
- If the second PCR test is positive, self-isolate at home, and the COVID-19 virtual assessment center will contact you to finish the isolation procedures.
- If your PCR test is negative, wait another 24 hours before testing again. If your second PCR test is negative, the ADPHC recommends that you resume your normal activities while continuing to take preventive steps.
List of COVID-19 assessment centers:
Medical examination and isolation methods for high-risk categories’ primary assessment centers are:
Abu Dhabi
- Mafraq Hospital
- Madinat Mohamed Bin Zayed Centre – for laborers
Al-Ain
- Al-Ain Convention Center Gate 7
Al Dhafra
- Madinat Zayed City Centre
- Al Dhafra Hospitals Prime Assessment Centre
COVID-19 rules for close contacts
The requirement for close contacts to be quarantined was lifted by NCEMA in April of this year.
According to NCEMA, they must take a PCR test on Day 1 and Day 7, with Day 1 being the day they had contact with the person who tested positive for COVID-19.
While NCEMA released this remark, each Emirate’s emergency and crisis management authority is also entitled to implement the required procedures within the Emirate.
Close contacts of COVID-19-positive people who are not suffering any symptoms are no longer required to quarantine, according to the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management in Dubai.
The Abu Dhabi Public Health Authority reminded community members of the guidelines for confirmed cases and close contacts this week in Abu Dhabi. A person who was in close contact with a positive case must undergo a Day 1 and Day 7 test, according to a message on the company’s official social media platforms on June 9. The day you first came into touch with the positive patient, or the day you began to develop symptoms, is termed Day 1.
If you test positive after either of the two PCR tests, you must follow the above-mentioned process for positive patients.
If you test negative, you can resume your normal activities while still taking precautions.