So new joiners can opt out but a mate, who tried a few weeks ago, cannot? What kind of BS is that? As for signing in and signing out... I simply wouldn't. End of! And if that meant I'd be fired unless I complied then I'd resign from emirates and that would be that. What a joke this place has become.
The opt out was never stopped. Requests to opt out were simply postponed for 6 months for those who were currently in company accomodation but had requested to leave. No one was or is permanently unable to opt out.