The photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Rania Al Ghazzawi, Staff Reporter

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the regulative body of the Healthcare Sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, has changed the PCR test fee in its healthcare facilities to Dhs65, down from Dhs85 including sampling and examination.

In a circular issued on Wednesday, to medical service providers, health insurance companies and health insurance claim management companies licensed by the Department of Health, Dr Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi said the cost of the PCR test would be covered by the person, who visits the healthcare facilities without having symptoms or medical indications.

A health worker collects nasal swab samples.

In the other cases, the same cost would be covered under the government-funded programs (ABM3-ABM5), which cover all Emiratis and their domestic workers, people of determination, pregnant women, residents over 50, people with chronic diseases, people with COVID-19 symptoms and those who mix with infected people.

Last week, the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has called on facilities, companies and establishments operating in 5 commercial activities to obligate their respective employees who have not received the COVID-19 vaccine to conduct a PCR test every 14 days, as of March 28.

These commercial activities include hotels, restaurants, transportation and health as well as social and personal activities related to laundries, beauty salons and hairdressers.

Health workers conduct PCR tests on residents.

This came in a circular issued by Nasser Bin Thani Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, with respect to the procedures for dealing with the COVID-19 in co-ordination with the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority. The circular is based on the ministry’s keenness on taking all necessary measures to confront the pandemic and provide all health guarantees for workers to have fast recovery.

The circular called on all private sector firms, companies and establishments to urge their workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible and to co-ordinate with the concerned authorities for this purpose.

It stressed the necessity for any worker infected with COVID-19 with a positive result to follow the approved treatment and isolation mechanisms prescribed by the competent health authorities.