Free Covid-19 tests for Ajman residents postponed

The Ajman Medical Zone has postponed the launch of free Covid-19 tests for Ajman residents due to some technical reasons. The screenings were scheduled to be launched today in Al Afrah Convention and Event Centre and Al Bait Al Mutwahid in Al Hamaidiya.
The Ajman Medical Zone, in coordination with Ajman Municipality, will send text messages to targeted groups, including residents, labourers, employees of commercial and industrial companies, after a new launch date for the free tests is decided.
Hamad Teriam Al Shamsi, director of Ajman Medical Zone, said that the health authorities are striving hard to implement the campaign, without causing crowding. "It was decided to organise the screening drive by first identifying the targeted groups and dividing the residential areas into categories, and then sending text messages to people."
He pointed out that the free Covid-19 tests will be carried out with the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Community Protection aimed at ensuring the health and safety of people, including workers in various institutions and companies.
These tests are a part of the preventive and precautionary measures to achieve safety at work environments after the completion of national sterilisation programmes and resumption of activities.
Al Shamsi said that the tests will be conducted for people of the emirate of Ajman according to categorised areas and set dates for their screenings. "The screenings will include all workers in markets, beauty salons, and commercial stores," he added.
Mass testing campaigns have helped Abu Dhabi flatten the Covid-19 infection curve in several areas. In Mussafah, over 570,000 tests were conducted, helping fully contain the spread of the virus among residents, especially blue-collar workers. In a block-by-block drive, residents of 2,730 buildings were screened and 260 residential complexes sanitised.
In Sharjah, free Covid-19 tests are held at the Expo Centre by the MInistry of Health and Prevention (Mohap) in association with the Sharjah Police. Apart from the massive screening facilities there are many drive-through centres operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services (Seha) across all emirates.
With over 3.625 million tests, the UAE leads when it comes to testing per million population. Worldometer - a reference website that provides counters and real-time statistics - places the UAE in the top four countries when it comes to mass testing.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com 

• Ajman

Afkar Ali Ahmed

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com