The UAE’s first COVID-19 drive-through facility

Sabina Saktaganova Staff Reporter, The Pawprint

In the first eight hours of work, Abu Dhabi’s screening centre has already tested more than 300 people.

The goal of this facility is to reduce the contact between patients and medical workers and between regular patients and those infected with COVID-19.

When a patient shows up at the centre, the first thing to do is to sanitize their hands, then the registration happens (a person needs to insert their Emirates ID), and the person’s contact number is verified, so they can receive the test results. 

Then the nurse in the protective equipment takes the test without asking the driver to exit the car. After this short test, the person can drive out and will get the results within 24 to 48 hours.

At the moment, testing is free for people in the risk criteria, such as showing respiratory symptoms, having travel history to affected places, having a chronic disease, or pregnant women. For those who don’t meet the risk criteria, the test will cost Dh375 per person.