Staff Report

To deal with the spread of coronavirus and providing more testing facilities, a large number of drive-through testing centres have been opened in different parts of the United Arab Emirates, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office.

The Media Office on Thursday informed that under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, 13 additional Covid-19 drive-through testing facilities were opened in 10 days, in addition to the centre previously opened in Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.

“A total of 317 employees and volunteers worked on completing the construction of the centres, which spans a total area of 23,000 square metres,” the Abu Dhabi Media Office said in a tweet.

“The centres include 630 qualified medical, nursing, technical and administrative staff, who have been trained to efficiently complete the examination within five minutes.”

According to authorities, more than 12,000 people have been tested since the centres opened.

The examination process begins by booking an appointment in advance by calling the 8001717 Estijaba centre, or through the SEHA smart application, for an initial assessment.

Priority will be given to those with symptoms, senior citizens, pregnant women and those who suffer from chronic diseases.

Precautionary examinations costs Dh370, and payment will be done electronically through the SEHA application.

The new drive-through testing facilities include two in Abu Dhabi’s Al Bahia and Al Wathba areas. Abu Dhabi’s Western Region also has two facilities in Madinat Zayed-Al Dhafra and Ghayathi Al Dhafra areas.

In Al Ain, there are two facilities in Al Hili and Al Sharej areas. Dubai also has two facilities in Al Khawaneej area and Mina Rashid.

Other emirates including Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah each has one testing facility in the urban centres.