Stock PCR test for Covid19
Szilvia Marosi undergoes a PCR test for Covid19 in Dubai Image Credit: Stefan Lindeque/Gulf News

Dubai: In a circular issued by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) on March 23, the cost of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) nasal swab test for COVID-19 to Dh65.

Earlier, the cost of the test was Dh85.

Seha, which operates testing centres across the UAE, also has the option for certain categories to get tested for free. So, if you wish to take the PCR test from a Seha screening centre, here is all you need to know about how to book and where to go.

Who can get tested for free?

The following priority categories are eligible for free testing.

• UAE nationals

• Senior citizens above 50 years old

• Residents above 50 years old

• People suffering from chronic disease

If you fall under any of the above categories, you can book a free COVID-19 test by calling the authority’s COVID-19 hotline on 8001717.

Otherwise free testing is available by booking an appointment through the SEHA App for the following categories.

• UAE nationals

• Children of Emirati women

• Domestic workers working in Emirati Households

• People suffering from chronic diseases

• Residents above 50 years old

• People of determination

• Pregnant women

Note: You can avail a free screening only once every four months.

In case you do not qualify for a free test, you can get a PCR test done at a cost of Dh85, as the change in cost was effective immediately from the time of announcement, according to Seha.

Where can I go to get the test done?

Seha operates the following drive-through testing centres in the UAE:

Dubai

• City Walk

Timings: Open daily, 10am to 8pm

Location: 25.2055625, 55.2614375

• Mina Rashid

Timings: Open daily, 10am to 8pm

Location: 25.2519375, 55.2800625

Free Covid Test
Picture used for illustrative purposes only. Image Credit: Gulf News

• Al Khawaneej

Timings: Open daily, 10am to 8pm

Location: 25.2434375, 55.4695625

Abu Dhabi

• Zayed Sports City

Timings: Saturday to Thursday, 8am to 7pm; Friday 12noon to 8pm

Location: 24.4149375, 54.4506875

• Al Wathba Screening Centre

Timings: Saturday to Thursday, 8am to 7pm; Friday closed

Location: 24 24.2194375, 54.6838125

• Al Bahia Screening Centre

Timings: Saturday to Thursday, 8am to 7pm; Friday closed

Location: 24.5340625, 54.6745625

• Al Shamkha Screening Centre

Timings: Saturday to Thursday, 8am to 7pm; Friday closed

Location: 24.3829375, 54.7081875

• Abu Dhabi Corniche

Timings: Saturday to Thursday, 8am to 7pm; Friday closed

Location: 24.4654375, 54.3306875

• Al Ain – Al Hili Screening Centre

Timings: Saturday to Thursday, 8am to 7pm; Friday closed

Location: 24.3030625, 55.7900625

• Al Ain – Asharej Screening Centre

Timings: Saturday to Thursday, 8am to 7pm; Friday 12noon to 8pm

Location: 24.1828125, 55.6608125

• Al Dhafra – Madinat Zayed

Timings: Saturday to Thursday, 8am to 8pm; Friday closed

Location: 23.6363125, 53.7086875

• Al Dhafra – Ghayathi

Timings: Sunday to Thursday, 8am to 8pm; Friday and Saturday closed

Location: 23.8381875, 52.8096875

• Al Dhafra – Al Mirfa

Timings: Sunday to Thursday, 8am to 8pm; Friday and Saturday closed

Location: 24.0855625, 53.4983125

• Al Dhafra – Al Silla

Location: 24.0435625, 51.7588125

• Al Dhafra – Liwa

Location: 23.1479375, 53.8073125

• Al Dhafra – Delma

Location: 24.4879375, 52.3335625

Sharjah

• Golf and Shooting Club

Timings: Open daily, 10am to 8pm

Location: 25.3543125, 55.4889375

Ajman

• Al Jerf 2

Timings: Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 6pm; Friday and Saturday closed

Location: 25.4038125, 55.4821875

Ras Al Khaimah

• Dafan Al Khor centre, near the corniche

Timings: Open daily, 10am to 8pm

Location: 25.7728125, 55.9343125

Umm Al Quwain

• Defence Camp, Sheikh Khalifa Hall

Timings: Open daily, 10am to 8pm

Location: 25.5073125, 55.5965625

Fujairah

• National testing centre, near Fujairah Hospital

Timings: Open daily, 10am to 8pm

Location: 25.1315625, 56.3204375