Where are the COVID-19 Test Centres in the UAE and How You Can Book a Test?

The UAE has set up numerous COVID-19 (Coronavirus) test centres throughout the country, in addition to testing facilities at various Government healthcare facilities.

This is part of an effort to step up testing patients for COVID-19 in order to “flatten the curve” in the UAE.

Can I Get Tested?

If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, you need to consult a medical professional immediately (see table on the following pages for telephone numbers). Health Authority (DHA) has set out guidelines on when, where and how to get a COVID-19 test in Dubai.

These guidelines are issued to prevent undue concern by clarifying that not everyone needs to take a COVID-19 test. Please note, that while the current guidance does not mandate everyone to be tested, these guidelines may change in the future.

If you have come in contact with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patient, you should first self- quarantine at home and then call the DHA helpline at the number provided on subsequent pages.

According to Dr Abdulla Al Rasasi (Head of Preventive Medicine at DHA), patients are suspected to have the virus if they have:

Upper or lower respiratory systems (cough and difficulty breathing) with or without fever Travelled to a high-risk country Cared for or come into contact with people with COVID-19 Severe acute respiratory infections with no other medical explanation

Vulnerable groups are at a higher risk of serious infection with the virus. These include pregnant women, people above 65 years of age and those with comorbidities (other illnesses) including hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. Therefore, the authorities are giving priority for testing to the following:

1. Anyone showing symptoms linked to COVID-19 (dry cough, fever or shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, headache, sore throat) 2. Anyone who has had close contact with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case (or a travel history within the last 14 days) 3. Anyone in a vulnerable group including

- Pregnant women - Anyone over the age of 65 years - Anyone with comorbidities (other illnesses) such as hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes or cardiovascular disease (conditions affecting the heart), those with a poorer immune system (e.g. those with cancer), history of taking immunosuppressants (any drugs that reduce the body’s immune system e.g. steroids) or severe acute respiratory illness (conditions affecting breathing and the lungs). 4. Anyone who is asymptomatic (i.e. no symptoms) and wants to get a test done without a doctor’s approval can do so. However, your insurance will not cover the cost of the test. Please see table below for the cost of a test.

How Can I Book the Test?

All Information has been summarised in the following table depending on where you live.

Please note, if you are going for a test in Dubai, you must apply for a move permit, during the extended 24-hour restrictions. To do this, please visit www.dxbmovepermit.ae and select “medical appointment” under reasons for requesting a permit. Once your permit has been approved, you can visit the drive through centre that you have confirmed with the health authorities.

Please note, the Al Nasr Club location in Dubai is by appointment only. The DHA Call Centre has advised visitors to ensure that they do not miss their appointment as it will not be rebooked.

Labourers in industrial areas across the Emirate of are being offered free field medical tests. Free test clinics locations are in the following table:.

How to Book an Emirate Loca�on Timings Cost Appointment Dubai Al Nasr Club, Oud Metha Road Sunday to Free for categories To book, call (Close to Ismaili Centre Dubai) Thursday, mentioned above in DHA on 800 342. 8:00 AM the ‘Can I Get Tested’ The centre is to 6:30 section (above 65 only for PM years, pregnant or residents who those with ongoing are either above chronic diseases) 60 years old, pregnant women or those with ongoing chronic diseases. Other categories need to call 800 1717, to book an appointment. Dubai Festival located at Dh370 for those To book, call Al Fes�val City Mall, near Crescent showing symptoms Fu�aim Health Drive and Dh425 for Hub on 04 260 Ground Floor, asymptomatic cases 8777 Manazel Deira Building, Al Nahda Street, Al Qusais 2 Silicon Lynx Tower, No. 6, Silicon Oasis Zen Cluster, Building 6, Street 1 A, Discovery Gardens. Next to Dubai Driving Centre , Mushroom Building No. 3, Al Warqa 1 Interna�onal City , Warsan Building, Opposite T01 Spain Cluster Port Rashid located at the main Sunday to Dh 370 or FREE for To book an gate of Port Rashid (also called Thursday, labourers in appointment ) 10:00 AM Industrial areas/Free call 800 1717. Google to 6:00 test clinics You can also loca�on: 25.254198,55.281054 PM download the Al Khawaneej located at ‘Last Seha app, which Exit’. Drive down D54 and is available for follow signs for the Last Exit. Apple and Google Android devices. loca�on: 25.234796,55.474681

Abu- Zayed Sports City 8:00 AM Dhabi to 8:00 PM daily , Al Dhafra (Near Al Saturday Gayathi Market) to Google loca�on: Thursday, 23.837810,52.809111 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Madinat Zayed (Al Dhafra) near Saturday Al Dhafra Mall to Google loca�on: Thursday, 23.636306,53.708532 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Zayed Sports City located in Sunday to Mubadala Arena in Zayed Thursday, Sports City Complex 8:00 AM Google loca�on: to 8:00 24.413665,54.453839 PM Al Wathba (Near Al Wathba Camel Heritage Center). Head towards the Heritage Centre from Abu Dhabi – Truck Road E30 Google loca�on: 24.222283,54.681891 Al Bahia located in the Bahya Parking Ground, off Al Mu’ayid Street Google loca�on: 24.535229,54.674485 9th and 12th Street. Free test clinic Al Ain Al Hili Near Al Hili Park Sunday to Dh 370 Google loca�on: 8Q2J+F8 Al Thursday, Ain, Abu Dhabi 8:00 AM Asharej in Maqam 2. Drive to 8:00 down Khalifa Bin Zayed PM Street and follow signs for the drive through centre after the UAE University

Sharjah Golf and Shoo�ng Club Sunday to Dh 370 To book an Drive down E311 from Sharjah. Thursday, appointment Once you pass the Tasheel 10:00 AM call 800 1717. centre on your right, you will to 6:00 You can also find the Sharjah Golf and PM download the Shoo�ng Club on your right Seha app, which Google loca�on: 9F3P+WM is available for Sharjah Apple and Android devices. Centre is located in Al Jurf As you drive down E11, the centre will be on your right, soon a�er Ajman City Centre Google loca�on: CF3J+GV Ajman Umm Al Defence Camp in Quwain Located next to Al Maqta 1, as you drive down the Umm Al Quwain main road, off E11. Near Fujairah Hospital Google loca�on: 48JC+J5 Fujairah Ras Al Dafan Al Khor Centre. Drive down Al Quawasim Corniche Khaimah Road, and turn towards the Eid Prayer Ground.

What Documents do I Need for the Test?

If you want to get a COVID-19 test in Dubai, you need to have the following documents with you. Please re-confirm which documents you require when you call the authorities in your selected area for testing.

Passport copy

Visa copy

Original ID

Tenancy contract/ latest DEWA bill

Recent passport photograph

Medical insurance card

Health Card/ Family Card (for UAE Nationals)

How is the Test Conducted?

When driving to the centre, please wear gloves and mask as directed by the UAE government.

When you reach the drive-through centre, you will see two check points.

At the first check point, you will then be asked to prepare your Emirates ID. Please remain seated in your car and keep your windows closed until you reach the registration station. At the registration centre, you will then be asked to provide your Emirates ID to confirm your appointment. The officials will confirm the symptoms and details that you have provided.

At the next checkpoint, your personal details will be rechecked. A physician or nurse will take a nasal swab. To do this, you will need to pull your mask down to cover your mouth only and tilt your head back. A sample will be taken from the back of your nose. Please try and relax through the procedure, the procedure is not painful but can cause some discomfort.

Please then return home to self-isolation or self-quarantine.

When and How Will I Get My Results?

Currently, it will take two to three days for the results to be received.

If your result is negative, you will receive either a call or SMS from the relevant authority.

If your result is positive, the authorities will contact you and either recommend self-isolation at home or in hospital dependent on how severe your symptoms are.

What Happens if I Test Positive in Dubai?

The UAE government can provide prompt emergency services to its residents.

If the swab results are positive, the DHA will send ambulances and healthcare officers to allow for the immediate family members (of the patient) to be brought in for screening. If the family members do not show symptoms, they are allowed to return home but have to stay in isolation for 14 days.

This is necessary as sometimes you can test negative for the virus, but symptoms start to appear a few days later. If a family member does experience symptoms, they will be transferred to an isolation facility where they can be quarantined and treated until tested negative for COVID-19. This process can take up to three weeks.

Contact Tracing

Officials will conduct contact tracing. This means contacting all the people who may have come in close contact with the COVID-19 patient.

This is one of the many ways in which authorities are curbing the spread of the COVID-19.

Sources

https://gulfnews.com/living-in-uae/health/all-covid-19-drive-through-test-centres-in-the-uae-and- how-you-can-book-a-test-1.1586776437931

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html

https://www.bayut.com/mybayut/corona-virus-test-dubai/

https://m.khaleejtimes.com/coronavirus-pandemic/uae-combats-coronavirus-new-centre- launched-to-report-suspected-cases