In yet another milestone, the country has moved on to the third stage of Covid-19 vaccine research and clinical trials. If it proves to be effective, "we will move on to mass production of the vaccine", said Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention. He also announced that the UAE has conducted over 4 million Covid-19 tests.
Meanwhile, a rapid-testing facility for the coronavirus, which produces results within five minutes, has been opened up in Abu Dhabi to screen people entering the emirate without a Covid-negative-result. It is located near the last exit of the Sheikh Zayed Road (Dubai-Abu Dhabi road) before the Ghantoot border check point.
On Monday, it was also revealed by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) that tourists in the UAE whose visit visas had expired after March 1 have one month to leave the country or change their visa status to avoid fines. The one-month window started on July 12, Brig Khamis Al Kaabi, spokesperson of the ICA, said in a TV interview.