Abu Dhabi reduces number of ‘green list’ countries that do not require quarantine

Abu Dhabi has announced another update to its ‘green list’ destinations effective from February 7, 2021.

The number of countries on the list has reduced to 12 destinations, down from 17 in the previous update issued on January 25.

Passengers arriving from the ‘green list’ destinations will be exempt from mandatory quarantine measures after landing in Abu Dhabi and will only be required to undergo PCR testing upon arrival at Abu Dhabi airport.

According to the latest update issued by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), seven countries have been removed from the list: Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Maldives, Thailand, Falkland Islands and St. Kitts and Nevis.

Meanwhile, Bhutan and Iceland have been added to the list.

The list also only applies to countries passengers are arriving from, rather than citizenship.

Countries, regions, and territories included within the ‘green list’ will be regularly updated based on international development, a statement said.

Inclusion in the list is subject to strict criteria of health and safety to ensure the well-being of the UAE community, it added.

The full list of ‘green’ countries, regions and territories now includes:

Australia
Bhutan
Brunei
China
Greenland
Hong Kong (SAR)
Iceland
Mauritius
Mongolia
New Zealand
Saudi Arabia
Singapore

DCT Abu Dhabi will also continue to issue updates on the list and overall travel status in the coming months, it said.

Abu Dhabi reopened to international tourists on December 24, 2020. All visitors must present a negative PCR test result and take a second PCR test upon entering the capital.

Last month, the emirate announced that those arriving from ‘green’ countries must take a PCR test on arrival and on day six, without the need to quarantine.

Abu Dhabi has announced new restrictions in the last week to counter the rising number of Covid-19 cases reported in the UAE.

As part of precautionary measures announced on Sunday, all parties and gatherings have been banned and all movie theatres within the emirate have been closed.

The operating capacity of shopping malls has been capped to 40 per cent; taxis to 45 per cent; gyms, private beaches and swimming pools to 50 per cent; restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, public beaches and parks to 60 per cent and buses to 75 per cent.

Read: Covid-19: Abu Dhabi issues new restrictions for tourism, commercial and economic activities