UAE: Free, cheap COVID-19 PCR tests on offer as schools open after summer holidays

UAE: Free, cheap COVID-19 PCR tests on offer as schools open after summer holidays

UAE - Hospitals, clinics, and at-home testing services offer RT-PCR testing services for Covid-19 for amounts as low as Dh40. Educational institutions are all set to re-open after the summer holidays.

Hundreds of thousands of pupils across the UAE will begin their new school year on August 29.

Students aged 12 and over, teaching and administrative staff, and service providers at government schools must obtain a negative PCR test result no more than 96 hours before the start of the new school year. However, private schools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are yet to announce guidelines for the coming school year.

According to the Knowledge and Development Authority’s last updated guidelines, no testing requirements exist. However, healthcare experts advise parents to exercise caution and pupils with Covid-19 symptoms must stay at home or get tested.

Here is a list of places where Covid-19 tests are available for free or at low-cost:

UAE residents in specific eligible categories can get a PCR test free of charge at any Emirates Health Services (EHS) run centre across all seven Emirates. Appointments are by booking only. Residents can use the Covid-19 EHS app to take appointments and find locations of the centres.

To facilitate a smooth start to the academic