Saudi Gazette report ABU DHABI — All federal government employees in the United Arab Emirates, who have not received two doses of the coronavirus, are now required to undergo a coronavirus PCR test every seven days, the UAE's state news agency WAM reported on Monday. The move, which will into force on Jan. 24 (Sunday), was announced by the UAE's Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) on Monday in a circular issued to all federal ministries and authorities related to updating the procedures aimed at addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

FAHR’s circular also stressed that the procedures are in line with the UAE government's efforts to confront the pandemic and protect the health of employees in their work environment. It also urged all federal authorities to implement procedures covering employees, outsourced staff, public services employees, consultants, and experts.

The circular affirmed that employees of federal ministries and authorities are required to undergo a PCR test every seven days, except those who have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, the federal authorities will cover the expenses of the PCR tests every seven days for those who have medical reports approved by national official health authorities confirming that they should not take the vaccine.

It added that outsourced companies and public services companies contracted by federal government entities must conduct a PCR test every seven days for their employees working on a full-time basis at government offices, and have not received both doses of the vaccine.

As regards consultants and experts who are required to attend meetings or be present at government office premises, the circular pointed out that federal authorities are required to confirm recent PCR test results performed within three days, except for those who have taken two doses of the vaccine.

In the circular, FAHR urged all federal ministries and authorities to encourage their employees to take the vaccine.