Abu Dhabi rolls out mass screening Covid-19 technology

The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has approved a pilot of advanced scanners to identify Covid-19 cases, it confirmed on Wednesday morning.

During the pilot phase, the scanners will be used at entry points to the emirate, at the entrance to select public locations on Yas Island and also at designated points of entry and exit to the Musaffah area.

The scanners will screen individuals (without recording) for potential Covid-19 infection and provide immediate results.

Individuals will be permitted to enter if the scanner identifies a person as not infected and free from the virus.

Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis & Disasters Committee has approved a pilot test of new scanners to identify potential #Covid_19 cases at select locations in the emirate pic.twitter.com/bKtigPJ8GK

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) June 16, 2021

If the scanner identifies a person as potentially infected, they must conduct a PCR test within 24 hours. All PCR tests that have to be conducted as a result of being detected by the scanner are free.

The committee confirmed that the technology is operated at a distance and is effective for mass screening, such as at the entry to public locations.

It added that the new scanners will add to existing precautionary measures, with no changes to any current protocols.

Starting from June 15, Abu Dhabi has made the Alhosn green pass mandatory for access to shopping malls, large supermarkets, gyms, hotels, public parks and beaches, private beaches and swimming pools, entertainment centres, cinemas, museums, restaurants and cafés for all those aged 16 and over.

Read: Abu Dhabi makes Alhosn green pass mandatory for entry to public spaces including malls, restaurants and cinemas

The Alhosn colour-coded system shows an individual’s vaccination and infection status. It turns from green to grey once the PCR test validity ends, and to red if a test result is positive.