Abu Dhabi will now require visitors to be vaccinated and boosted, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government announced Sunday through its COVID-19 app.
“Booster doses for all types of vaccinations are required,” Alhosn, the UAE’s COVID-19 platform operated by the country’s health agencies, wrote on Twitter.
“Make sure to book yours now if it’s been 6 months since you completed your vaccination to maintain the Green Pass.”
The Alhosn app, which provides UAE residents and visitors with access to vaccine cards and COVID-19 test results, said people will only maintain a Green Pass on the platform if they have received a booster shot, a negative PCR test result within the last 96 hours or proof that they have had COVID-19 within the past 90 days.
Proof of previous COVID-19 infection includes two positive PCR tests.
Abu Dhabi will now require a Green Pass on the Alhosn app for entry to the emirate.
Some criticized the abruptness of the decision in response to the announcement tweet.
“Al Hosn, we did not receive any grace period,” one person complained.
Another person claimed that he was denied entry to Abu Dhabi International Airport due to the quick change in requirements, calling it “very inconvenient.”
Alhosn is a tool of the UAE’s Ministry of Health & Prevention and Department of Health. It is also affiliated with the Dubai Health Authority and is endorsed by the country’s National Authority for Emergency and Crisis Management.
“By using Alhosn, we protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities,” the app’s official website states.