In the 2021 TomTom Traffic Index Ranking, which compared 404 cities in 58 countries, Abu Dhabi has Asia’s third and the world’s seventeenth lowest traffic congestion levels. More importantly, it is the world’s least traffic-congested capital.
Indeed, Abu Dhabi is a great place to visit if only to experience what it’s like to be in the world’s least congested capital. Of course, the variety of recreational activities and tourist destinations in the United Arab Emirates capital city makes it a great place too. However, you need an Abu Dhabi Green Pass to travel to Abu Dhabi. Read on to learn more about the Green Pass and how you can get one.
What Is the Abu Dhabi Green Pass?
In the UAE, there’s an official COVID-19 tracking and management app called Alhosn. This mobile app shows a person’s COVID-19 status, which can be green, grey or red.
In Abu Dhabi, a green status on Alhosn is required to enter some public spaces. This is essentially what the Green Pass is – a green status on Alhosn. Anyone in the UAE must show a green status on the Alhosn app to get into restricted-entry places. UAE citizens, residents and visitors alike must obtain a Green Pass.
How Can You Get a Green Pass?
You must download the Alhosn app. To get a green status, you must fulfil two conditions. First, you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. That means you must have received at least two doses of the vaccine. If the second dose was six months or more in the past, you must also get a booster dose to maintain your vaccinated status.
Second, you must have a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result within the past 14 days. You can get a by-appointment or walk-in PCR tests at public and private testing facilities in Abu Dhabi. There are also SEHA drive-thru screening centres. To get a test, residents need to show their Emirates ID, while non-residents must present their passport.
Green Pass Exemptions
You can also get a Green Pass with an official vaccination exemption and a negative PCR test result within the past seven days. Meanwhile, children below 16 years of age automatically get a Green Pass without requiring a PCR test. Security personnel in charge of checking Green Passes may ask for proof of age if they are uncertain about a child’s age.
Finally, new Abu Dhabi residents automatically have a green status on their Alhosn app. They have 60 days to be vaccinated. They must test negative on a PCR test every seven days to keep their Green Pass active during the grace period.
What If You Don’t Have the Alhosn App?
If you don’t have the Alhosn app or if it isn’t working, you can prove your green status by presenting proof of your vaccinated status and a negative PCR test result within 14 days. That said, it’s still best to use the Alhosn app to prove your green status.
Alhosn automatically links your account to all PCR screening centres and vaccination facilities all over the UAE. After a PCR test, your Alhosn app will automatically get updated with your most recent PCR test result when it becomes available. The same is true after you get a booster dose. Therefore, the Alhosn app automates and streamlines the process of activating and maintaining a Green Pass.
Where Do You Need a Green Pass?
It’s virtually required in most public spaces in Abu Dhabi. These places include but are not limited to restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, retail stores, theme parks, sports clubs, resorts, and universities. You also need a Green Pass to enter government offices and customer service centres. However, the Green pass is not a requirement for entry into schools.
The following popular tourist destinations in Abu Dhabi require an active Green Pass. In these destinations, if you are vaccinated, your Alhosn app must show a green status. Or you can present proof of your vaccinated status and the negative result of a PCR test taken within 14 days.
Meanwhile, if you are unvaccinated, you must have a green status on Alhosn and show proof of your vaccination exemption. However, if Alhosn is unavailable, you must present a negative PCR test result within 48 hours of entry.
1. Qasr Al Watan
The Palace of the Nation, Qasr Al Watan, is the presidential working palace in Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi. It is famous for its magnificent granite and limestone facade, imposing domes and pristine marble floors and walls. Of particular note are the mirror-image marble slabs that have been book-matched to create interesting designs.
2. Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi
This 37-acre water park has over 40 slides, rides, and experiences, including the world’s largest sheet wave (Bubbles Barrel), the world’s largest six-person tornado water coaster (Dawwama), the first free-fall body slide in the region (Liwa Loop), and the region’s tallest speed slide (Jebel Drop).
3. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Home to the world’s fastest rollercoaster (Formula Rossa) and the world’s tallest non-inverted roller coaster loop (Flying Aces), Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is the first Ferrari-branded theme park in the world. This park has 40 rides and experiences, including the Ferrari driving experience, kart racing and racing simulation.
4. Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is the largest indoor theme park in the world and the world’s first Warner Bros.-branded indoor theme park. It has 29 rides and attractions, taking inspiration from Warner Bros. comics, film and TV characters. Meet Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, Bugs Bunny, Tom and Jerry, Batman and the Gotham City super villains, Superman, the Green Lantern and more.
5. CLYMB Abu Dhabi
CLYMB Abu Dhabi offers the region’s best indoor skydiving and wall climbing adventure. It has the world’s biggest indoor skydiving chamber, the region’s tallest indoor climbing wall, and modern and futuristic architecture that makes it worth a visit.
Activate Your Green Pass for Convenience
If you are moving to or visiting Abu Dhabi, download the Alhosn app on your phone and activate your Green Pass by fulfilling the requirements. With the Abu Dhabi Green Pass, you can enter most public places unhampered, including the city’s foremost tourist destinations.
