If you are searching for the Delma Park COVID test center at this moment, the most probable reason is that you want to find out just one thing – can you go there and have your test done? Back during the height of the pandemic, this testing center in Abu Dhabi was a place, where thousands of people went for their PCR or rapid antigen tests. It was a familiar spot to everybody, who needed COVID testing for traveling, work or personal reasons.
The problem is that most of the information, which you can find online about the testing center, is already outdated. Blog posts, forum discussions and even some social media videos from 2021-2022 still talk about the testing center as if it was operational. And in addition to it, they provide you with false data on pricing and operating hours.
This guide will help you learn everything about the current status of the testing center, get to know the brief history of it and – above all – find out the alternative options for testing in Abu Dhabi.
Is the Delma Park COVID Test Center Still Open? (Current Status)
No, it is not. Like other dedicated SEHA screening sites in Abu Dhabi, Delma Park closed down when the emergency pandemic operations ended. The centers stopped operating due to the fact that testing is no longer required to be performed as a crisis response, and moved into routine healthcare.
It does not mean that COVID-19 testing became impossible in Abu Dhabi. Instead of the dedicated outdoor testing sites, you should get it done at the accredited hospitals and healthcare centers.
And that is the main reason why so much outdated information about it is still online. Most of the posts about Delma Park date from 2021-2022, and when you see an article or video where the user asks if the Delma Park PCR testing is “free and open 24/7”, you will be reading outdated information.
Before visiting this site, you should make sure about the current testing options through your healthcare provider or SEHA app.
What Was the Delma Park COVID Test Center? (Background & History)
In order to understand why this spot became so popular, it is necessary to talk about its location and the role it had during the pandemic.
Delma Park COVID Test Location and setting
Delma Park COVID testing center was located in the Abu Dhabi district Al Nahyan, in the area where Delma Street (Sheikh Fatima bint Mubarak Street) and Salam Street (Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street) cross. Such location was convenient for many people living in the area because it was easily accessible by car, taxi or public transport. It was an advantage that roads to the spot and from it were good and not congested, thus reaching it was easy for everyone.
Why parks and open areas were chosen as testing sites
Many people wonder why the park was chosen for the testing, and the reason is clear. First of all, it reduces the risk of indoor transmission. Parks usually have a large territory for organizing the queuing lines, parking and drive-through lanes, and all of these points can be organized without having problems with reorganization of the clinics.
Abu Dhabi was not the first city, where this kind of testing facilities appeared during the pandemic because health authorities in many other cities decided to use parks and open spots for the same reasons.
Delma Park COVID Test Role during the pandemic
Delma Park testing center was a small part of the huge strategy of providing people with testing facilities. Unlike other strategies in other countries, Abu Dhabi did not channel every testing procedure through hospitals, but organized community testing centers, drive-through lanes and temporary testing points to avoid overloading of the hospital’s emergency departments. It allowed health authorities to organize mass testing, detect infections earlier and maintain a better visibility of case numbers, which played an important role during the pandemic.
Delma Park COVID Test Quick Overview
| Information | Details |
| Location | Delma Park, Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi |
| Primary Test | RT-PCR (PCR) COVID-19 Test |
| Purpose | COVID-19 diagnosis, travel, and workplace screening |
| Booking Method | Official healthcare channels (during operation) |
| Required Documents | Emirates ID or Passport |
| Typical Result Time | 12–48 hours |
| Current Status | Dedicated SEHA COVID-19 screening centres are no longer operating |
| Current Testing Options | Approved hospitals, medical centres, and licensed healthcare providers |
| Travel Acceptance | PCR certificates were accepted based on destination requirements |
| Official Information | UAE health authorities and approved healthcare providers |
Types of Tests Previously Offered
Back then, there were two types of tests which were offered to people, and each type had a unique purpose.
PCR test
PCR test was the most common and accurate test to find out the active COVID-19 infection. It included nasal or throat swab which was analyzed in the laboratory. Due to its high sensitivity, it was the type of test, which was required for travel documents and other purposes. The drawback of the test was that it took 24-48 hours to get the results.
Rapid antigen test
If you needed quick results, you could opt for rapid antigen test. With it, you could find out the results within minutes rather than days. It made it possible to get quick decisions if, for example, you had to leave for a plane or workplace the same day. Though the test was not as accurate as the PCR one, its speed was important in those cases.
Drive-through vs walk-in options
Sometimes, you had the option to get the test being in your car or walking on foot. Drive-through test was the most popular option because it allowed to get your test without leaving the car.
How Booking & Testing Used to Work (For Historical/Reference Context)
Although you can not follow the same procedure today, it will help you to understand the reputation of this spot. Besides, it is useful if you study the history of community testing centers in Abu Dhabi.
Booking via SEHA app / official hotline
The most common way to get the test in the spot was through the official mobile application of the SEHA or a special hotline. All you had to do was to log in your profile using the Emirates ID or a registered account, chose the type of the service “COVID-19 test”, selected the type of the test and the location of the center – Delma Park, and finally picked a time slot.
Registration and ID verification
After arriving to the spot, you had to visit the registration desk where your ID was verified. The purpose of the procedure was that your test results were linked to your profile, which was important in cases when the test results were required for travels or work requirements.
Safety protocols
Strict hygiene and safety measures were applied in the center during the whole procedure. It included distance markers in the line, frequent sanitizing of the surfaces and equipment, and wearing protective gear by the medical workers. In addition, in case it was possible, the registration was done digitally to reduce the physical contact.
Why the Price Varied (Clearing Up the #1 Confusion Point)
When you were searching for “Delma Park COVID test price” and saw 5 different prices on 5 websites, you were not imagining anything – the price really varied.
Here are the reasons for it:
Changes in government policy – the Abu Dhabi authorities modified the price for PCR test several times during the pandemic, and the price mentioned in 2020 could be different from the price in 2022.
Provider type – sometimes the price was determined by the healthcare provider, where your test was conducted.
Promotional campaigns – sometimes people over 50 and under 25 years old could get the test for free during the public health campaign.
Time of your visit – due to the price changes, the “correct” price was defined by the exact date of your visit.
Therefore, if you read an article and see one fixed price, it means that it is just a part of the historical information.
Where to Get a COVID Test in Abu Dhabi Today
Now that you learned that the Delma Park testing center is no longer operational, you may want to learn how you can get your test done today.
Accredited hospitals and healthcare centers
Today the testing procedures are held through the healthcare system, unlike the previous years. The accredited hospitals and DoH-licensed healthcare centers conduct the COVID-19 testing along with other medical services.
How to find a current testing provider
The best way to find the appropriate provider for your test is to download the SEHA app or make a call to a government health center. You will get the information about the closest facility where the test is held, and this is the most effective way of finding it, compared to outdated guides from 2021-2022.
What to bring / how to book now
When you book your test, you should bring the same things as you would for other clinic visits – the Emirates ID or passport, and any referrals or booking confirmation.
Delma Park Today – What’s There Now
You will not find there any testing tents or lanes, because the spot has been returned to its primary function as a recreational park for the people from Al Nahyan community. However, it is still located in the central area of the city and is conveniently situated.
Documents Required for PCR Testing
| Purpose | Common Documents Required |
| Resident Testing | Emirates ID |
| Visitor or Tourist | Passport |
| Travel Requirement | Passport and airline or destination requirements (where applicable) |
| Workplace Screening | Emirates ID and employer request (if required) |
FAQs
Is the Delma Park COVID test center still operating in 2026?
No. Dedicated community screening centers, including this one, closed once emergency pandemic testing operations came to an end, and COVID-19 testing has since moved into the regular healthcare system.
Where exactly was the Delma Park COVID test center located?
It sat in Abu Dhabi’s Al Nahyan district, near the intersection of Delma Street and Salam Street – a central, well-connected spot close to several residential neighborhoods.
What type of COVID test did Delma Park offer – PCR or rapid antigen?
It offered both. The PCR test provided higher accuracy with results in 24–48 hours, while the rapid antigen test gave you a same-visit result when speed mattered more than precision.
How much did a PCR test cost at Delma Park?
There wasn’t one fixed price. Costs shifted based on government policy updates, the healthcare provider involved, and occasional free testing campaigns for specific age groups.
Where can I get a COVID test in Abu Dhabi now that Delma Park is closed?
You can book through accredited hospitals and DoH-licensed healthcare centers, using the SEHA app or a government health hotline to find a current provider near you.
Conclusion
Delma Park was an important spot during the pandemic because it helped thousands of Abu Dhabi residents to get tested when it was required the most. However, the chapter is closed and COVID-19 testing became part of routine healthcare. In case you need to get tested today, forget about the outdated blog posts about Delma Park and use SEHA app or DoH-licensed healthcare center – it will help you to save the time and effort.
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