Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, has removed an option for visitors to apply for COVID-19 vaccines from a dedicated mobile app, although a hotline run by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) last week said tourists were eligible.
SEHA, which operates the emirate’s health infrastructure, had said that visitors with visas issued by Abu Dhabi and passport holders eligible for tourist visas upon entry can book free vaccines, and its app had shown a “visitor” function.
Vaccinations had previously been restricted to UAE citizens and residency visa holders.
Abu Dhabi Media Office issued a statement on Thursday saying vaccines are available to those with an expired residency visa or expired entry visa, “which does not include holders of valid tourist or visit visas.”
UAE Health authorities said this month nearly 85 percent of the eligible population had received at least one vaccine dose, according to Reuters.
Coronavirus infections have risen in the past month in the UAE. On Saturday, it recorded 2,282 new infections to take its total to 624,814 cases and 1,792 deaths.
Abu Dhabi still has restrictions on entry, including home quarantine and PCR testing at intervals after arrival. People driving from other emirates are tested to show they are not infected.
