Those living in Abu Dhabi with expired residency or visit visas can now get the covid-19 vaccine for free. The Abu Dhabi Government Media Office tweeted- “The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has approved providing free Covid-19 vaccines to everyone who has an expired residency or entry visa, for their safety and health, and in consideration of the exceptional circumstances resulting from the pandemic”. Read on for more info.
Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has approved providing free Covid-19 vaccines to everyone with an expired residency or entry visa, for their safety and health, and in consideration of the exceptional circumstances resulting from the pandemic. pic.twitter.com/qR3fOh2TdP
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) June 11, 2021
Also read: Summer Travel With Children: Everything You Must Know About Vaccine And PCR Test
The Free Vaccine Will Be Available To Anyone With A Valid ID
Those in Abu Dhabi with expired residency or visit visas can now register for free covid-19 vaccination with any type of formal identification. Until recently, Emirates ID or valid residency visa was mandatory to be able to register for the vaccination. However, now, the free jabs will be available to anyone with a valid identification document.
The move is an initiative to help those who have lost their jobs and thereby lost their respective visas, during the pandemic. However, as per Khaleej Times, private healthcare groups are yet to get an official confirmation on the same and more updates on the same are awaited.
Also read: Dubai-aites Can Now Book Covid-19 Vaccine Appointments Through WhatsApp; Here’s How
The announcement comes right after Abu Dhabi authorities approved the use of a green pass process for entry to several public places. Here’s what the green card means:
Abu Dhabi Updates Al Hosn App Rules For Entry In Malls, Restaurants And Supermarkets
Abu Dhabi authorities have approved the use of a green pass process for entry to several public places. The green pass on the Al Hosn app will be used for access to shopping malls, supermarkets, gyms, hotels, and other facilities within parks and beaches, entertainment centres, cinemas, museums, restaurants and cafes. The rules will come in place from June 15. So from Tuesday, June 15, green status on Al Hosn App will be required to access public places.
Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has approved usage of green pass on Alhosn app, based on the emirate’s 4-pillar strategy to combat #Covid_19 focused on vaccination, active contract tracings, safe entry and adopting preventive measures. pic.twitter.com/lcEhUYZqJi
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) June 9, 2021
How Does The Green Pass System Work?
People who received both the jabs of vaccine will get to keep the green status for 30 days after presenting a negative PCR test. And for unvaccinated people, the status on the app will be marked green for three days after presenting a negative PCR test. The system will apply to people aged 16 and above.
What Is The Use of Green Pass?
As per the authorities, the green pass will help in active contact tracings, ensure safe entry and help everyone adapt to new covid-19 preventive measures. The new Al Hosn colours-coded scheme will cover six categories.
Category 1:
People who received their second dose at least 28 days earlies and volunteers in the vaccine trials fall in category 1. For them, the green status on the Al Hosn app will appear for 30 days once they present a negative PCR test result.
Category 2:
People who received their second dose less than 28 days earlier follow in the second category. For them, the green status will appear for 14 days once they present a negative PCR test result.
Category 3:
People waiting for their second does appointment, fall in this category. They will get green status on the app for seven days after presenting a negative PCR test.
Category 4:
People who have received their first days and are late to their second appointment by 48 days fall in this category. They will get green status on the app for three days after presenting a negative PCR test.
Category 5:
This category is for people with vaccine exemption certificates. Those who cannot take vaccine for medical reasons will have to submit their negative test to get a green status on the app for seven days.
Also read: 10 Quarantine-Free Places UAE Residents Can Travel To This Summer
Category 6:
Unvaccinated people who do not have vaccine exemption, a negative PCR test result will cause the Al Hosn status to appear green for three days.
You must keep in mind that the Al Hosn status will turn grey when the relevant PCR test validity ends.