If you searched for “Delma Park COVID test”, chances are high that you fall into one of the two categories: either you remember using this facility during the pandemic period and wonder whether it is still functioning, or you came across an old blog post claiming that the center is operational. In any case, you are not imagining things: Delma Park was indeed one of Abu Dhabi’s community testing locations at some point.
The problem is that most sources related to this particular topic are not updated since 2021 or 2022. Blog posts still talk about drive-through lanes and next-day PCR results as if you could drop in tomorrow. Unfortunately, none of this information is accurate anymore, and it can mislead people and waste their time as they would have to drive from one end of the city to the other.
Is Delma Park COVID Testing Center Still Operational?
Unfortunately, Delma Park’s dedicated COVID-19 testing center ceased operations several months ago. Along with several other community screening centers, it was shut down after UAE authorities decided to transfer testing responsibility into regular healthcare network of Abu Dhabi.
It’s important to note that “Delma Park testing center closed” does not mean that “covid testing in Abu Dhabi stopped”. These are totally different things, and what really happened is that all specialized pandemic-era testing facilities (including Delma Park) were phased out after case numbers decreased to the point where temporary testing sites were not necessary anymore.
As the result, testing responsibility was transferred from specialized facilities back to regular hospitals, licensed clinics, and pharmacies. So, if your aim is to get a test, you still can – but you will do it not at the park itself anymore.
This process was gradual, and it followed the same pattern as in other emirates: as vaccination coverage grew and the phase of acute pandemic crisis passed away, temporary public health infrastructure like community testing tents and repurposed parks’ facilities was shut down and replaced with permanent medical facilities.
Where Is the Delma Park Testing Center Located?
This section is useful for anyone who tries to piece together the history of Delma Park or to establish possible links between this place and current facilities.
Former testing facility of Delma Park was located in Abu Dhabi’s Al Nahyan district, near Delma Street – one of the busiest residential roads in this part of the city. It was easy to reach from major roads like Airport Road and Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street, so the location turned to be quite convenient for people coming from various districts.
This is actually one of the reasons why this spot was chosen for conducting tests – the district of Al Nahyan is heavily populated by residents, and setting up a testing point there, instead of directing all people to the hospital, shortened their traveling time and spread out testing demand.
Once again, this section refers to the location where the testing center used to function. It is not an active testing facility you can go to today, and if you plan your navigation to Delma Park’s testing center, you will not find it open.
What Kind of Testing Delma Park Offered? (Historical Review)
During its active period, this site offered quite a typical menu of services related to testing for coronavirus. In case you are interested in what kind of experience a visit to Delma Park used to provide, or you need to identify which type of test you were given according to your old certificate, read below.
PCR Testing
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test was the primary test at Delma Park, as in all the other community sites. It included nasal or throat swabbing, sent to the lab for analysis and resulting in test results in 24 to 48 hours (depending on testing volume). PCR test was considered the most reliable test for coronavirus and was widely used for travel purposes as well as obtaining visas and medicals.
Rapid Antigen Testing
There was another test available at Delma Park for people who needed quick confirmation of their negative status without going to hospital: rapid antigen testing returned results in a matter of minutes, not days. Due to its lower reliability compared to PCR testing, it was not accepted for travel and visa-related purposes.
Drive-Through vs Walk-In Options
Both options of testing were provided at Delma Park: drive-through lanes allowed people to be tested without getting out of their cars. This type of testing became popular during the period of the pandemic due to reduced physical contact.
Again, all the above points refer to what kind of service the testing center used to provide. None of these services are available at Delma Park today.
Where Can I Get a COVID-19 Test in Abu Dhabi?
This question is probably the main one that most people, who search for “Delma Park COVID test”, try to find the answer to.
There are three main channels of getting COVID-19 tests today in Abu Dhabi:
SEHA-Approved Hospitals & Clinics
Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) network remains the primary and the most reliable channel for COVID-19 testing. Most of the SEHA hospitals and affiliated clinics can conduct PCR and antigen testing as part of regular healthcare services, and the results of this testing are always accepted for official purposes without difficulties.
Licensed Pharmacies
Several Abu Dhabi pharmacies received an approval to perform testing once community centers were phased out. It was a strategic decision, because instead of concentrating testing demand back in hospitals, the health authorities decided to distribute testing points among a wider network of healthcare facilities.
According to industry reports at the moment of this change, a considerable number of pharmacies in Abu Dhabi was included into this program. The exact number has changed since then.
Private Healthcare Providers
If you need a specific test format or a certificate for travel or work-related purposes, private healthcare clinics and hospitals across Abu Dhabi usually offer PCR and rapid antigen testing with same-day or next-day results, for additional fee compared to public facilities. They remain the quickest option in such cases.
| Testing Channel | Best For | Typical Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| SEHA hospitals/clinics | General testing, official documentation | 24–48 hours (PCR) |
| Licensed pharmacies | Convenient, routine testing | Varies by pharmacy, often same-day for antigen |
| Private healthcare providers | Fast turnaround, specific certificate needs | Often same-day, sometimes within hours |
How to Book a COVID Test in Abu Dhabi in 2026?
Booking is fairly easy and usually implies one of the following:
- Use SEHA official website or app to book an appointment at the hospital or clinic.
Walk into a pharmacy authorized for testing. - Some pharmacies can conduct rapid antigen test without prior appointment.
Contact a private clinic directly. - In case you need a certain test type, prior consultation with a receptionist will help you to check pricing and availability of appointments.
Have your Emirates ID and insurance information ready if applicable, because this will speed up registration procedure.
Make sure that the test you need is exactly what you require: PCR and rapid antigen tests are not interchangeable for all the purposes.
Comparison with Other Former Community Testing Sites
Delma Park was not a unique place – it was one of the network of community and drive-through testing centers that operated in Abu Dhabi and whole Al Dhafra region during the pandemic. If you have encountered the names of any other such facilities and landed on outdated information, you will find here all the answers.
| Site Name | Area | Historical Service Type | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delma Park | Al Nahyan district, Abu Dhabi | Walk-in and drive-through PCR/antigen testing | Closed; testing shifted to hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies |
| Madinat Zayed | Al Dhafra region | Prime assessment and drive-through testing | Closed as a standalone community site |
| Gayathi | Al Dhafra region | Drive-through PCR testing | Closed as a standalone community site |
| Liwa | Al Dhafra region | Drive-through PCR testing | Closed as a standalone community site |
| Marfa | Al Dhafra region | Drive-through PCR testing | Closed as a standalone community site |
As we already know, all the dedicated pandemic-era centers were phased out, and testing services moved into regular healthcare network. This article concerns Delma Park facility, but this information applies to all other sites as well.
Do You Still Need a COVID Test for Travel or Work in UAE?
The answer is: yes and no, and it depends. Requirements for testing and quarantine on entering the UAE – as well as requirements for medical clearance in certain sectors – have changed several times since the peak of the pandemic, and can differ depending on your citizenship, airline, and destination country’s entry requirements.
You Can Read Also: Mina Rashid DPI Test UAE
FAQ
Is Delma Park COVID test center still operating in 2026?
No. It was a community screening site that operated during the pandemic and was closed afterwards, with testing services absorbed by regular hospitals, clinics, and licensed pharmacies across Abu Dhabi.
Where was Delma Park COVID testing center located?
It operated in Abu Dhabi’s Al Nahyan district, near Delma Street, and was accessible from Airport Road and Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street. This information relates to the site that is no longer active and serves as a historical reference only.
Where can I get a COVID-19 test in Abu Dhabi now?
At SEHA-approved hospitals and clinics, at network of licensed pharmacies authorized for testing, or at private healthcare providers if you need quicker test results or a certain certificate format.
Do I still need a PCR test for travel from the UAE?
It depends on your destination, airline, and current entry requirements, which change several times since the pandemic. Always check it directly with your airline or relevant immigration authority.
Is rapid antigen testing still available in Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Many pharmacies and private clinics still offer this kind of testing, although former community testing centers like Delma Park are closed.
Conclusion
Short version: Delma Park’s dedicated COVID-19 testing center is closed, and it has been for quite a long time now. It does not mean that testing ended, but it simply moved from community sites to regular Abu Dhabi’s healthcare network, which includes hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies that are easier to reach than a single community site.
If you need to get a test quickly, the fastest thing to do is to contact SEHA-approved clinic or a pharmacy, check what type of testing you need, and make an appointment if you can. Also, if you need this test for certain travel or work-related purpose, don’t forget to check the latest rules.
