Abu Dhabi COVID-19 app removes vaccine options for tourists

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, cancels the option for tourists to apply Coronavirus disease Vaccines from a dedicated mobile app, although the hotline is Abu Dhabi The Health Services Corporation (SEHA) said last week that tourists are eligible.

SEHA, which operates the emirate’s health infrastructure, has stated that tourists with visas issued by Abu Dhabi and passport holders who are eligible for tourist visas at the time of entry can book free vaccines, and its app displays the “visitor” function.

Vaccination was previously restricted to UAE citizens and residence visa holders.

The Abu Dhabi Media Office did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment on tourist qualifications. It issued a statement on Thursday stating that those with expired residence visas or expired entry visas can get the vaccine, “which does not include valid visa holders. Tourism. Or visit visa.”

It did not respond to requests for clarification.

Unemployment and travel restrictions during the pandemic mean that some people’s residence visas have expired or have been cancelled due to layoffs.

The UAE has launched one of the fastest vaccination campaigns in the world. It is made up of seven emirates that have developed some of their own COVID-19 and vaccine policies.

There is no indication that Dubai, the most populous emirate and commercial and tourist center, has opened vaccines to tourists.

The UAE health authorities said this month that nearly 85% of the eligible population had at least one dose of the vaccine, but did not say how many people had received two doses.

In the past month, the UAE’s coronavirus infection rate has increased, but it has not broken down every emirate. On Saturday, it recorded 2,282 new infections, bringing the total to 624,814 and 1,792 deaths.

Abu Dhabi still has entry restrictions, including home isolation and Polymerase chain reaction Tests will be conducted at regular intervals after arrival. People who drive from other emirates have been tested to prove that they are not infected.