If you are an international traveller arriving in United Arab Emirate’s capital Abu Dhabi, then you will need to wear an electronic wristband upon arrival so that the authorities can track whether you are strictly following the COVID-19 protocols/quarantine. Here is what we know about this new rule. By Amitha Ameen
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Etihad Airways recently announced that international passengers arriving at Abu Dhabi International Airport will need to wear a tracking device upon arrival until they complete their 14-day mandatory home quarantine. Since daily COVID-19 infection rate have been on the rise in the country and peaked at their highest numbers this month, officials blame lack of social distancing and have come up with this new plan.
Upon arrival, passengers will be fitted with a medically-approved wristband that will only be removed once the concerned person completes his/her mandatory home quarantine period. Those arriving from countries that are listed as ‘high-risk’ may even have to quarantine at a government-run facility. Along with the wristband, passengers are required to undertake a COVID-19 test 96 hours prior to arrival, no matter which country they are flying in from.
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Abu Dhabi is not the first country to incorporate this new geolocation technology; countries like Singapore have implemented this on incoming passengers since mid-august. Along with tracking devices, UAE has also dispatched trained dogs in Dubai airports to detect COVID-19 infected passengers, and Emirates has announced that they will cover COVID-19 expenses of travellers who are diagnosed with the virus after arrival.
Related: Emirates Will Now Cover Its Passengers’ COVID-19 Test And Quarantine Costs
