ABU DHABI — Abu Dhabi’s Emergency, Crisis, and Disasters committee for COVID-19 has approved special measures for participants in the Phase III clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine or the national vaccination program for emergency use.

The special measures apply to participants in the vaccine trial immediately after their first dose. They apply to participants in the national vaccination program 28 days after their second dose.

Trial participants are identified by a gold star in the Alhosn app and are not required to take a PCR or DPI test to enter Abu Dhabi from within the United Arab Emirates. After traveling abroad, they are exempt from quarantine but must undergo a PCR test before traveling and upon returning to the emirate. They are exempt from PCR tests on the 4th and 8th days after entry into the emirate.

Participants in the vaccination program are identified by the letter E in the Alhosn app and are not required to take a PCR or DPI test to enter Abu Dhabi from within the UAE. After traveling abroad, they are exempt from quarantine but must take a PCR test before traveling and upon re-entering the emirate, as well as on the 4th and 8th days after entry.

The special measures are only valid if the participant’s Alhosn app continues to show their special status, which is linked to taking a PCR test every fortnight, as per the conditions of the trial and vaccination program.