This is how new EDE COVID-19 scanners work in Abu Dhabi malls

Abu Dhabi: The introduction of a new scanning system to display screen guests at Abu Dhabi’s malls has been roundly greeted by residents, who say the new COVID-19 safety measure is each efficient and handy.

The EDE scanners, as they're identified, went into use yesterday throughout plenty of malls in Abu Dhabi, after a pilot testing section on the emirate’s Ghantout border, entry and exit factors to Musaffah space, and sure public places on Yas Island. They are an addition to the speedy testing measures launched in Abu Dhabi to make sure that residents are as secure as doable from being uncovered to COVID-19 and supply an added layer of safety.

“I have had to get my PCR test done very frequently and these EDE scanners are very welcome. I don’t visit malls often, but my family members do. I can rest assured that their risk of exposure to COVID-19 will be reduced because every one who enters a mall has first been screened for COVID-19,” Abdullah Khamis, 60, an Emirati businessman, instructed Gulf News whereas out at Al Wahda Mall.

Khamis added that he hoped such COVID-19 screening know-how would quickly be obtainable to everybody.

“My wife and I both had COVID-19 earlier and we were almost asymptomatic. Given the new variants of the virus, additional protection is very good. Otherwise, it may spread very quickly and silently,” mentioned Dalibor Mirkovic, 37, a private coach from Serbia.

Mirkovic has since been vaccinated and he mentioned he enormously appreciated the a number of preventive measures carried out in Abu Dhabi.

Leena Awadh, a 34-year-old entrepreneur from Palestine, had an analogous opinion.

“Honestly, everything the UAE is doing to keep us safe is very welcome. I come to the malls daily as part of the work I do, and these measures help me feel safe despite interacting with so many people,” she mentioned.

Marissa Nalidong, 36, feels safer at work — due to the EDE scanners. “I am a customer sales representative at the mall and work closely with lots of people every day. Knowing that everyone I come into contact with is not infected is a relief,” the Filipina mentioned.

D.M., a mother-of-one from Egypt, mentioned she hadn’t been vaccinated but. “I am expecting and cannot get the COVID-19 vaccine now. I do visit malls to shop, with my three-year-old in tow. Now I am less worried about COVID-19 risks because of the new scanners,” she mentioned.

Mayank Pal, common supervisor at Khalidiyah Mall, mentioned the EDE scanners had been supplied by authorities authorities. Mall personnel had additionally been educated to make use of them earlier than they have been launched.

“The new scanning system is very easy to operate and provides results in a second. There is, therefore, no need to queue while entering and the first two days of operation have been very comfortable. Moreover, because we manage the device as the mall authority, there is no onus on the visitor,” he mentioned.

At the Abu Dhabi Mall, a part of the Abu Dhabi Trade Centre, greater than 19,000 guests and contractors have been welcomed on Sunday.

“We were able to roll out the devices at multiple entrances and the process was very smooth. Of course, we did have to explain what was happening to some visitors, but everyone was willing to comply,” mentioned Salim Abdul Khadir, services supervisor at Abu Dhabi Trade Centre.

The EDE scanners are additionally at present getting used for screening at some residential areas and in any respect land and air entry factors to Abu Dhabi emirate. In addition to EDE scanners, thermal scanners, DPI testing and PCR testing are additionally getting used broadly to display screen residents, staff and guests in the emirate.

Authorities have additionally introduced that public venues in Abu Dhabi will solely enable entry to these vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 from August 20 onwards.

The new scanning system was developed by EDE Research Institute Abu Dhabi, which is a part of the International Holding Company (IHC).

It makes use of a smartphone, with a devoted app, that is linked to a sensor. The sensor needs to be positioned inside a metre of the telephone.

The know-how detects doable COVID-19 infections by measuring electromagnetic waves, which change when the RNA particles of the virus are current in the particular person’s physique. Results are due to this fact supplied inside seconds of scanning a person.

The display screen turns inexperienced to point out that the particular person is wholesome, whereas an alert in crimson seems to point a doable COVID-19 an infection. If this occurs, the person is refused entry, and requested to take a free, obligatory PCR take a look at throughout the subsequent 24 hours.

According to the Department of Health (DoH), the emirate’s well being regulator, greater than 20,000 individuals have been examined through the pilot section. The scanners proved to be 93.5 per cent delicate, which mirrored the accuracy of the gadget at detecting contaminated people. They have been 83 per cent correct at detecting those that didn't have COVID-19.

“The use of the EDE scanning system is part of this strategy and reflects the leadership’s vision in harnessing modern technology to create solutions that turn challenges into opportunities. We are pleased to add EDE scanning technology made in Abu Dhabi to the precautionary measures, helping create safer areas and maintain public health. The EDE scanners will be used alongside other approved testing methods, such as PCR and DPI,” Dr Jamal Al Kaabi, the DoH undersecretary, mentioned.