International Participants at IDEX and NAVDEX 2021 Exempt From Quarantine on Arrival in UAE

The Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), the organiser of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX 2021) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX 2021), held under the patronage of the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, from 21-25 February, has received approval from the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre for all badge holders to be exempted from the 10-day quarantine procedure on their arrival into Abu Dhabi.

This step has been taken to facilitate the arrival of international delegations from all over the world. International visitors to the UAE must present their event badge, printed on A4 paper, at any border, to be exempted from the quarantine, and they will not be required to wear tracking wristbands. Detailed protocols to facilitate the entry of delegations and support their participation, are being finalised in collaboration with relevant authorities in the UAE, and an update will be published on a later stage.

Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, part of Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “Through our decision to exempt participants of the IDEX and NAVDEX 2021 exhibitions from the quarantine period, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi is keen to promote business activity in the emirate. We worked closely with ADNEC as a strategic partner throughout the pandemic on a number of initiatives that ensured the health of the community. Accordingly, we are confident of their ability to implement rigorous precautionary measures including the necessary PCR tests that ensure the health and safety of visitors and exhibitors attending this event.

“Participants exempt from quarantine procedures still must observe the strict guidelines in place before entering the emirate of Abu Dhabi. In doing so, they will ensure the implementation of preventative measures, safeguarding the highest standards of health and safety for all residents.”

“We will co-ordinate extensively with authorities to facilitate the entry of participants to the conference, supporting their attendance by preserving the health of those around them,” Al Nuaimi concluded.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company, commented: “This exemption demonstrates how IDEX and NAVDEX are leading the recovery of business activity following the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it will showcase how Abu Dhabi continues to lead as a regional capital for the business tourism sector. We maintain our support to welcome the world, once again, in spite of the ongoing global conditions caused by the pandemic.”

Al Dhaheri added: “This stride demonstrates the UAE’s and ADNEC’s robust range of flexible infrastructure and operational capabilities, capable of safely organising a global mega-event. Since the beginning of the pandemic, stringent precautionary and safety measures have been our foremost priority.

“This exemption has been enabled by the continued cooperation and support from our strategic partners and stakeholders. Such support has allowed us to continue to strengthen the position of this event, building on its success and continuing to attract a wider range of visitors and exhibitors. In attracting such a high calibre of international companies, IDEX and NAVDEX will continue to showcase the latest developments in the defence sector.”

Through the IDEX, NAVDEX, and the International Defence Conference, ADNEC aims to attract global expertise in the land, sea, and air defence industries, localising knowledge in the UAE. The 15th edition of the IDEX and NAVDEX exhibitions is a distinguished global platform which highlights the national defence sector and its infrastructure. Further, the exhibitions will showcase the latest in cutting-edge technology in these sectors, following the global innovation trends of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

A wide raft of health and safety measures have been designed and implemented across IDEX 2021, NAVDEX 2021 and the International Defence Conference, ensuring the safety of all participants. All those attending will be required to follow the social distancing measures and the wearing of face masks is being mandated across exhibition facilities, ensuring the safety of all attending the events.