The news we’ve been long awaiting; at last, we can freely move around the emirate of Abu Dhabi in public spaces without the need for a “green pass,” nor masks, as almost all COVID restrictions have been lifted.

In the next stage of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) announced on 6 November that effective from 6:00 AM on 7 November 2022, a Green Pass on Al Hosn is no longer required to enter public places.

Since August 2021, the need to provide a “Green Pass” on an app called Al Hosn was compulsory for all residents and visitors to show they had been recently PCR tested and were negative for COVID-19 as part of strict public safety measures.

The requirement to wear masks in most indoor situations was removed on 28 September 2022.

What COVID Rules Still Apply in Abu Dhabi?

Whilst this comes as great news, visitors to Abu Dhabi should still be aware of the following:

• Face masks are only mandatory in health facilities and centers for people of determination.
• In all other open and closed facilities, the wearing of face masks is now optional.
• COVID-19 PCR testing and healthcare facilities will continue to operate.
• If you do contract COVID in Abu Dhabi, there is still a compulsory 5-day isolation period.
• Sports events and activities may still request pre-examinations or vaccination certificates in accordance with the type and importance of the activity.

You can find all the past and present COVID rules and requirements for Abu Dhabi here

So What Next for Abu Dhabi?

A packed events calendar is already scheduled for winter 2022-23 with a huge wine up from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix taking place on 20 November through to the stage sensation, The Lion King debuting at Etihad Arena and more garden-style concerts and festivals than you can imagine!

Find out more about upcoming events here:

• Abu Dhabi Weather & Events November 2022
• Abu Dhabi Weather & Events December 2022
• Abu Dhabi Weather & Events January 2023
• Abu Dhabi Weather & Events February 2023
• Abu Dhabi Weather & Events March 2023
• Ramadan in the UAE 2023

Take me back to the Abu Dhabi Travel Blog

Please note we are not a travel agency. This site is a travel blog to help newcomers to the UAE self plan their trip, we cannot book your flights, hotels, visas or connections for you. We may make a small commission if you click on any of our hotel or tour recommendation links.

Abu Dhabi Travel Planner

The post Al Hosn Green Pass Requirements Removed in Abu Dhabi appeared first on Abu Dhabi Travel Planner.

The Abu Dhabi Green Pass and Al Hosn Covid-19 app explained for visitors and residents in Abu Dhabi

From 7 November 2022, the rules regarding green status on the Al Hosn app – a “Green Pass” to access public spaces was abolished by NCEMA

The information in this guide has now been superseded with the second stage of COVID restrictions being lifted in the United Arab Emirates – find the complete update to Abu Dhabi COVID rules here – effective 6:00 AM 7 November 2022.

We have kept all the information below to reflect Abu Dhabi’s situations before this latest round of rules easing.

What is Al Hosn?

The UAE’s Al Hosn app, which is the country’s official Covid-19 tracking app, provides details of an individual’s vaccination status and PCR test results.

According to the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee (NCEMA), from Friday, 20 August 2021, presenting a “green pass” or “green status” on your Al Hosn app (Alhosn) will be mandatory in order to access venues including:

• Restaurants, bars and cafés
• Hotels (and facilities within)
• Private beaches and swimming pools
• Shopping malls
• Large supermarkets
• Museums
• Cinemas
• Entertainment centres
• Gyms
• Public parks
• Public beaches
• Schools

(Swipe left for English)

Despite changes to other COVID rules over the past year, including the removal of capacity restrictions and mandatory face masks, the Al Hosn Green Pass is a lasting reminder that we’re still not completely finished with COVID restrictions in the UAE capital.

Information on this page was last updated on 10 October; Please make sure you’re getting your Green Pass information from the most relevant and up-to dates sources (NB, unfortunately, this isn’t always the Government website – their social channels can be more accurate)

How do I get “Green” on Al Hosn?

Getting and maintaining “Green Status” or a “Green Pass” on your Al Hosn app involves being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a WHO-approved vaccine and having a PCR test at least every 30 days (this has variously been 14/30 days; the last rule change as at 28 September made the testing period for those over the age of 16, 30 days once more).

If you are not vaccinated, or your first two vaccines were greater than 6 months ago, your PCR test results conducted in the UAE will still appear in the app, but your Al Hosn will appear grey. Grey prohibits entry to public buildings (you can still enter small supermarkets and pharmacies).

To regain your “green status”, you must get a booster vaccine dose (or gain a medical exemption via SEHA if there is a valid reason not to take the booster).

Here are the latest guidelines shared by Al Hosn:

What if I turn Red on Al Hosn?

If you have a positive PCR test, the Al Hosn app will turn Red, You will need to follow health department procedures (last updated 28 September 2022):

• According to the SEHA (the Abu Dhabi Health Authority), the present procedures only require you to visit a COVID-19 Prime Assessment Center if you’ve tested positive and you’re a chronic disease patient or aged over 65 years.

• You are told to take a second PCR test at a SEHA facility for all other cases, then self-isolate for 5 days.

• After 6 days, your Al Hosn will automatically turn green again, where it will last another 30 days (previously, this was 10 days and 60 days).

The designated COVID-19 Prime Assessment Centers are open daily between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm at:

• Mafraq Hospital in Abu Dhabi
• Al Ain Convention Center in Al Ain
• Madinat Zayed City in Al Dhafra

Some public buildings and events may require you to have a negative PCR test result within 48/72/96 hours, in addition to showing the Green Al Hosn. This seems to change regularly, so check requirements if attending a particular event or Government building. For the most part, however, Green Al Hosn is all you should need.

Exemptions for the Green Pass

• If you have an approved exemption, then you must get a PCR test every 30 days to keep your Al Hosn Green.
• Children under 16 can be registered on the app but do not need PCR tests or a vaccine to turn green.
• New residents have a 60-day grace period to update their vaccine schedule.

Unvaccinated individuals now have access to the Al Hosn Green Pass

If you are unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated, the Green Pass rules changed again on 28 September 2022. You can now get Green Status on the Al Hosn app with a PCR test within 7 days (previously, this was 48 hours).

Al Hosn Changes For Cruise Passengers

On 10 October 2022, the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism announced that cruise passengers and crew would not need to use the Al Hosn app with the presentation of a cruise card or a wristband.

The exact format of this exemption is still yet to be seen, but rest assured, if you’ve met the health and safety requirements to board the cruise that’s docking at Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi, you will no longer need to mess around with getting your PCR tests, and Alhosn sorted to enjoy the best of Abu Dhabi on a stopover.

Mask Rule Update

Together with the use of the Al Hosn app, wearing face masks has been a key preventative measure used in Abu Dhabi since the Coronavirus outbreak.

On 28 September 2022, NCEMA announced the removal of mandatory masks indoors for most situations.

Rules are still in place for hospitals and health care facilities, houses of worship, public transport, and food handlers in the hospitality industry.

Wearing masks on airlines is at the airlines’ discretion and subject to the destination they are flying to (Etihad have already announced masks can be removed inbound to Abu Dhabi; outbound rules are subject to the rules of the destination airport).

Otherwise, wearing face masks is now optional in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

Frequently asked questions on the Abu Dhabi Green Pass

This understandably still raises quite a few questions for tourists and residents.

It requires every person over the age of 16 to be in possession of a mobile phone, have internet access and a working Al Hosn App in order to prove their status. So what do you need to do if planning a trip to Abu Dhabi?

You can find the current entry requirements for Abu Dhabi during Covid-19 HERE

Find more Abu Dhabi Covid-19 news, rule changes and re-opening information here.

We have gathered this information from publicly available sources. We cannot help with questions about your individual circumstances. Please see the Government contact details in the body of this article for further information.

The post “Green Pass” on Al Hosn App No Longer Mandatory in Abu Dhabi [updated November 2022] appeared first on Abu Dhabi Travel Planner.

This guide has been superseded with with latest rules that came into effect from 26 February 2022

In an ongoing effort to control the spread of coronavirus, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates has strict testing and quarantine measures in place for visitors and returning residents.

Take note that entry rules differ in Abu Dhabi from the rest of the United Arab Emirates.

Since 27 August 2021, all residents and visitors to Abu Dhabi regardless of what sort of visa they are travelling on will need pre-approval from ICA (Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship).

From 19 September 2021, the need to wear a tracker watch while self-quarantining has been abolished. All other information below relates to the latest Abu Dhabi entry rules from 5 September 2021.

International Arrivals into Abu Dhabi

For citizens, resident visa holders and tourists to Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi has re-opened its borders for international tourism and will now be issuing visas on arrival and e-Visas to citizens of all countries if visiting criteria are met. However, strict testing and self-quarantine measures must still be followed.

The rules are frequently changing, with the latest update taking effect from 5 September 2021 as follows:

• All arrivals into Abu Dhabi must now apply for ICA approval before they fly – this is largely to determine your international movements prior to arriving and vaccine status. Non-residents will be issued with a UIN.
• Download the Alhosn App before you fly – this will record your vaccine information and any PCR tests performed within the UAE.
• Arriving into Abu Dhabi by air requires a negative PCR test from no more than 48 hours before boarding your flight.
• If you are arriving from a “Green List” country there is no self-quarantine on arrival.
  • If you are vaccinated you will be given a PCR test on arrival and again on Day 6 if you stay in the Emirate.
  • If you are not vaccinated, then take a test on arrival, Day 6 and Day 9.
• Arrivals from all other countries not on the green list:
  • If you are fully vaccinated, you will be tested on arrival, the need to self-quarantine has been abolished for those 16+ with a WHO approved vaccine but you must take further PCR tests on Day 4 an Day 8.
  • Unvaccinated you must self-quarantine for 10 days with a PCR test taken on arrival. Take a further PCR test on Day 9, if this is negative you are released from self-quarantine on Day 10.
• Children under 12 years of age or with severe disabilities are exempt from PCR testing
• Note an unvaccinated minor from a non-green list country is still subject to 10 days of quarantine, even if the vaccinated parents do not need to quarantine.

(Scroll left to view in English)

Further information can be found on the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre website.

From 27 August 2021: All incoming tourists must now register on the ICA website AT LEAST 5 DAYS BEFORE TRAVELLING so that their vaccine information can be uploaded onto the UAE “Alhosn” App. They will be issued with a QR Code and UIN – Unified Identification Number – in lieu of an Emirates ID number.

This pre-registration is not required for transit guests to AUH.

You can learn more about current entry requirements into Abu Dhabi on the Visit Abu Dhabi website.

Travelling to Abu Dhabi from Dubai or the Northern Emirates?

It is possible to arrive in Dubai or any other port in the UAE first, then transfer to Abu Dhabi but the same self-quarantine rules must be followed if you’re not vaccinated and from a non-green list country.

PLEASE NOTE DOMESTIC CHANGES FROM 19 SEPTEMBER 2021

The need to have a negative COVID test result to cross domestically between Dubai and Abu Dhabi has been abolished – learn more about the most recent rule change here.

We are seeking clarity if you are required to stop at the International Arrivals tent in Ghantoot still before crossing the Abu Dhabi border. However, the border crossing is now unmanned so it would appear you are free to come in but then responsible for self-enforcing your home quarantine on your arrival into Abu Dhabi emirate.

The fines are large if you do not comply with this self-quarantine.

*Important Update at 20 August 2021: Once you are in Abu Dhabi, it has become mandatory to present a “Green Pass” or “Green Status” on the Al Hosn App in order to enter public buildings and hospitality establishments. You can learn all about the Green Pass rules for Abu Dhabi here.

Without a PCR test result and “green status” on your Alhosn App you would not be able to enter an Abu Dhabi hotel. So if you are still in the compulsory self-quarantine period you’d need a private residence to stay in to complete the self-quarantine.

It is recommended if you are non-green list arrival into Dubai first and you are unvaccinated to not cross into Abu Dhabi emirate until you have completed a Day 9 test and have a negative result on Day 10. Your PCR result remains valid on the Alhosn App for 3 days if you are unvaccinated.

Take me back to the latest Abu Dhabi travel news

Please note we are not a travel agency. This site is a travel blog to help newcomers to the UAE self plan their trip, we cannot book your flights, hotels, visas or connections for you. We may make a small commission if you click on any of our hotel or tour recommendation links.

Abu Dhabi Travel Planner

The post Quarantine & Entry Requirements into Abu Dhabi appeared first on Abu Dhabi Travel Planner.