Students over the age of 12 in the UAE will need weekly PCR tests on their return to school next term, if they are unvaccinated.
It’s one of several new rules revealed by the UAE’S National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) and The Supreme Council for National Security for students and teachers returning to school this year.
Health Sector: The operation protocol of education institutes during the pandemic states the regulations to operate institutes including nurseries & daycare centers, private & public schools and higher education, training centers & institutes. #TogetherWeRecover pic.twitter.com/kOF9CB3D0D
— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 22, 2021
The new back-to-school rules apply to nurseries and daycare centres, public and private schools and higher education, educational training centres, and institutes across the UAE.
The new protocols will be applied within 30 days from the first day of school, to give anyone who’s yet to be vaccinated the opportunity to do so.
During this 30-day period, all students – both vaccinated and unvaccinated – will be required to take a PCR test every two weeks.
After the 30-day period is up, unvaccinated students under the age of 12 years old and vaccinated students over the age of 12 years old will be required to take one PCR test per month.
Unvaccinated students over the age of 12 will be required to take weekly PCR tests and distanced learning will be available to both vaccinated and unvaccinated students of all ages.
Parents will also be required to download the Alhosn app to show the school printed PCR and vaccination certificates, and if parents need to meet with school staff for any reason whatsoever, it’s recommended that parents schedule this meeting after all students have left the premises, and the time of the parents’ entrance and exit must be recorded.
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Additional protocols for the new school season include:
• Both students and all educational and academic staff will be required to sign a health declaration form stating that they are not infected nor have they been in contact with anyone who’s been infected with COVID-19. Parents must also ensure that their child/children have not been in contact with an infected person within two weeks of starting school.
• Educational institutes have the responsibility of managing all entrances and exits and they must also abide by all precautionary measures to prevent crowding during classes and breaks.
• One-metre social distancing will be in place with stickers indicating places to stand. Signs to spread awareness of the precautionary measures (e.g. social distancing, handwashing, and sanitising) will be provided.
• Considerations for students with special needs (people of determination) must be made including allocating those with special needs within different groups to ensure they do not cluster in one group.
• If students or staff are showing any COVID-19 symptoms, health and safety personnel must be notified immediately and guardians must be informed of the suspected cases with regular updates.
• Isolation rooms must be provided by the education institutes per the conditions set up by the Ministry of Health & Prevention (MOHAP) and schools must also abide by the procedures for handling confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases.
• Personal protection tools must be used and cannot be shared, and handshaking must also be avoided.
• When using prayer rooms, all students and staff must bring their own prayer mats and wear their masks during prayer. Prayer rooms will be cleaned and sterilised after each use.
• Those who are exempted from getting vaccinated are required to attain a COVID-19 vaccine exemption certificate as well as adhere to the protocols issued by health authorities including regular testing.
The statement ending saying:
“We have an important role to play in maintaining this success and return to normal life as it is vital to prepare students for physical attendance and the continuation of learning in all schools in the UAE.
The protocol is subject to updates and changes based on the situation in the country. Health authorities are working on adding more age groups within those required to be vaccinated during the next phase after the completion of the necessary approvals.”
Watch this space for updates.
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For Abu Dhabi click here and for Sharjah click here.
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