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Abu Dhabi movement ban: Travel only after getting permits

Vehicles with Abu Dhabi Police's 'Move Permit' are exempted.

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A week-long movement ban in Abu Dhabi began on Tuesday to ensure mass Covid-19 testing. The movement restrictions on entering and exiting Abu Dhabi and between its regions reportedly led to tailbacks on multiple roads.

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By Tuesday evening, the Abu Dhabi Police reminded residents to get movement permits for travelling during emergencies to avoid traffic bottlenecks. "To support screening efforts, the police urge the public to adhere to the instructions ... to avoid traffic congestions at the checkpoints on the emirate's roads."

#Video | How to apply for movement permits between and out of the cities of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi during the travel ban#Adpoilce #stayhome#???_??_????? pic.twitter.com/X7ucG6bK5V
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Earlier, Brigadier Salem bin Barak Al Dhaheri, Deputy Director of Traffic and Patrols Department, said 12 checkpoints have been set up to enforce the travel restrictions.
"We ask members of the community to avoid travel between cities until the completion of National Screening Programme," he had said on Monday.
However, vehicles with Abu Dhabi Police's 'Move Permit' are exempted.
Testing best bet against virus spread
Officials from the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi maintained that the objective of the travel restrictions is to continue testing across the emirate. Earlier this week, the authorities extended mass testing from industrial areas to high-density areas.
The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) recently opened a drive-through testing centre at the Corniche. An Emirati who came for testing on Tuesday lauded the initiatives taken by the Abu Dhabi government.
"All these measures are for our safety, for nationals and expatriates, without any differences. Until we have a vaccine, testing is the best solution," the Emirati said at the testing centre.
Similar drive-through centres have been set up in Al Shamkha, Al Madina, Al Masoudi and Al Dhaher. Other scanning centres in operation are at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi; Al Wathba and Al Bahia in the suburbs; and Al Hili and Asharj in Al Ain. Additionally, Al Dhafra Hospitals, a Seha healthcare facility, has launched three new centers in Silaa, Mirfa and Liwa.
The new centres thereby cover the mainland, eastern and western regions.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com