UAE schools reopen: New rules as students return to classrooms

  DUBAI – Students returned to classrooms on Sunday (August 30) as some UAE schools reopened for physical learning for the first time in nearly six months. Physical distancing has been mandated in classrooms, facilities and school buses to curb the spread of coronavirus. The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management (NCEMA) also released guidelines on precautionary measures to be observed by students, faculty and even parents: Daily temperature checks mandatory Entry allowed to those with less than 37.5 C body temperature Allocate entry and exit points at each school Only one family member or guardian to drop off students Parents or guardians can stay for a maximum of 10 minutes Online meetings encouraged unless urgent Employees cannot leave during the day, except in emergencies Employees must completely sterilize their clothing

Ministry of Education issues new protocol

In a new set of guidelines released last week, the Ministry of Education said that UAE schools may operate at reduced capacity or even close temporarily in case of Covid-19 infections. The Ministry of Education issued the extensive guidelines on Wednesday (August 26). The ministry also reiterated that it is mandatory for school members aged 12 and above to take a Covid-19 test prior to the start of the academic year. The maximum number of pupils per classroom is set at 15, with a distance of 1.5 metres between pupils to be observed in all rooms and facilities, according to the new guidelines. The ministry also determined four risk levels in case of Covid-19 infections: Low, moderate, high and extreme. In case of extreme risk to students and teachers, or when there are at least 36 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 population in seven days, schools will close and return to full-time online learning. If one Covid-19 case is detected in schools, the room used by the infected person will be temporarily closed and sterilized and everyone exposed to that person will be quarantined. In case more than one student or faculty member is infected, the school will close and all students will temporarily undergo distance learning for not less than 14 days.

Covid-19 risk levels in UAE schools and precautionary guidelines

Low risk Determining factors: Up to 5 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 population in seven days What will happen: Schools can operate as normal, with social distancing and wearing of face masks Moderate risk Determining factors: 6 to 20 cases per 100,000 population in seven days What will happen: Schools can open at half the usual capacity and provide distance learning and homeschooling options to parents. High risk Determining factors: Between 21 and 35 cases per 100,000 people in seven days What will happen: Schools must scale back capacity to 15 per cent and allow only pupils whose parents are frontline workers or have no childcare to attend classes in person. Extreme risk Determining factors: At least 36 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 population in seven days What will happen: Schools will close and return to full-time online learning. ICA/Expat Media
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