Abu Dhabi will deploy some high-tech scanners at select public locations to help detect potential COVID-19 cases. 

The technology will be installed at entry points to the UAE capital, including entrances to public venues around Yas Island, and enter and exit points in Mussaffah area, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office on Wednesday. 

The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has just approved a proposal to pilot the new state-of-the-art scanners, further enhancing the emirate’s safety protocols against the coronavirus. 

Abu Dhabi has been regularly updating its COVID-19 precautionary measures, including the use of green passes and the removal of certain countries from its green list of travel destinations. 

Effective June 15, green passes are required at public entrances, effectively restricting the entry to malls, gyms, hotels, public beaches and other public locations, to individuals who have been vaccinated or tested negative for coronavirus. 

New scanners 

According to Abu Dhabi Media Office, the new scanners will be able to identify immediately if a person has been infected. “If the scanner identifies a person as potentially infected, they must conduct a PCR test within 24 hours,” the information agency said. 

The scanner is operated at a distance and considered effective for mass screening. 

“[The technology] will add to existing precautionary measures, with no changes to any existing protocols. The technology screens (without recording) for potential COVID-19 infection and provides immediate results,” the agency said. 

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) urged the public on Tuesday to continue observing social distancing and wearing face masks even after taking two shots of the vaccine, as cases have started to inch up again. 

“Increasing number of infections in the country have been observed, especially after Eid holiday due to several reasons, such as failure to abide by precautionary measures in place [and] large gatherings,” NCEMA said. 

“We urge [the] public to abide [by] preventive measures as we are approaching the season of vacations and Eid Al Adha.” 

(Reporting by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Seban Scaria) 

Cleofe.maceda@refinitiv.com 

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