Maybe you have a planned holiday and maybe you need to do a business trip. Or maybe you are just not feeling quite well. Then you might want to consider testing yourself for the new Coronavirus that seems to overcome the word. But do you have all the information? Do you know everything about Covid-19 testing?
We have made a brief but actualized summary of all there is to know, from, symptoms, locations, prices, and situations when it is recommended to go through a testing process if you are in or from Dubai.
First: Who should get tested?
If you feel sick, with a sum of symptoms specific to this new virus like:
-Coughing
-Fever
-Shortness of breath
-No smell or taste
-Nausea and or dihareea
-Sore throat
-Overall pains and aches with shivers
or if you just feel something is off and your normal cold medication seems to not work, it’s time to call your doctor. He is going to evaluate your health state and recommend calling the DHA at 800-342 prior to scheduling for testing.
Or maybe you are planning to travel abroad from Dubai and the UAE. Even in this case in order to cross the border either via plane or car to other countries, you might need to test yourself. Check the legislation in the country of destination!
In case you are a resident, visa holder and you were living abroad but now you want to return home. You guessed it, you need to test yourself!
What type of test are there?
There are 3 type of tests available on the market.
The most simple rapid, but also very unreliable due to the false negative or positive results are the rapid tests. At a cost of around 100 AED you can perform them at home. You need to put a drop of your blood (from a finger) and it works pretty much like a pregnancy test. Telling you if you are infected now or if you had been in the past. All in less than 5 minutes. They were ultimately banned on Amy 15th by the Dubai authorities because they were considered inefficient.
The PCR test is the most accurate and is therefore the most reliable. It consists of a swab of your nose and or throat. This is the test performed in the medical facilities and drive-throughs. The results come in 24-48 hours. Because they are the most accurate, these tests are the ones preferred across the world.
The antibody test is a blood test that needs blood to be drawn and is counting the antibodies you have. The test measures the IGG and IGM values letting your know wither if you currently have the virus or if you had it and you have immune cells.
Seccondly, where should get tested?
If you are going to get tested, do not forget your documents. You are going to need a passport copy, visa copy, original Emirates ID, tenancy contract, recent passport photo, medical insurance card, and a health card.
Currently, in Dubai and UAE, there are various locations where you can get tested. Either medical facilities or Drive Through testing centers are widely available.
The medical facility locations in Dubai are listed below. You will be assigned one by the DHA.
| Location | Opening hours |
| Al Barsha Health Centre, Al Barsha 3 | 24 hours |
| Nad Al Hamar Health Centre | 24 hours |
| Al Safa Health Centre | Sunday to Thursday 07:30 am to 09:30 pm | Saturday 08:00 am to 01:00 pm |
| Al Badaa Health Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road | Sunday to Thursday 07:30 am to 09:30 pm | Saturday 08:00 am to 01:00 pm |
| Al Mankhool Health Centre | Sunday to Thursday 07:30 am to 09:30 pm | Saturday 08:00 am to 01:00 pm |
| Al Lusaily Health Center | Sunday to Thursday 07:30 am to 09:30 pm | Saturday 08:00 am to 01:00 pm |
| Al Khawaneej Health Center | Sunday to Thursday 07:30 am to 09:30 pm | Saturday 08:00 am to 01:00 pm |
| Al Towar Health Center, Al Towar 1 | Sunday to Thursday 07:30 am to 09:30 pm | Saturday 08:00 am to 01:00 pm |
| Nad Al Sheba Health Center | Sunday to Thursday 07:30 am to 09:30 pm | Saturday 08:00 am to 01:00 pm |
| Al Mamzar Health Center | Sunday to Thursday 07:30 am to 09:30 pm | Saturday 08:00 am to 01:00 pm |
| Al Mizhar Health Center,Al Mizhar 1 | Sunday to Thursday 07:30 am to 09:30 pm | Saturday 08:00 am to 01:00 pm |
| Za’abeel Health Center, Za’abeel 1 | Sunday to Thursday 07:30 am to 09:30 pm | Saturday 08:00 am to 01:00 pm |
| Senior Happiness Centre, Al Mamzar | 24 hours |
Drive through locations are set by Al Futtaim Health and you can see their locations here:
https://www.healthhubalfuttaim.com/home/medical-directory/specialties/covid-19+drive+through+station
Also, Dubai offers MLU – mobile laboratory units for elderly that provide free testing at home.
Ultimately, how much would the test cost?
In case you suspect you might have contracted the virus and you are part of a vulnerable group the test is going to be free. Otherwise, the cost is 370 AED ( for travelers) or 112 AED for the member registration at the hospital.
To conclude
And, for a piece of final advice is better to be informed and cautious these days.
So don’t forget to protect yourself the best you can because you are the one in control of your own protection ultimately. And in case of need, remember the contact details for testing:
- Dubai Health Authority: 800-342
- Estijaba, Department of Health: 800-1717
- Ministry of Health & Prevention: 800-1111