Covid-19 in UAE: Dubai schools to reopen canteens

Dubai - Families are still encouraged to prepare their kids' meals as canteens will be serving pre-packaged food.

As schools reopen tomorrow, students are advised to bring their own lunch boxes — packed with nutritious homemade food — as canteens will be limited to serving pre-packaged meals.

Most canteens and cafeterias will be reopening with campuses but with safety precautions in place.

In Dubai, schools can provide catering services if the food is pre-packaged and follows the municipality’s guidelines, according to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

Families are encouraged to prepare their children’s food and drinks, and ensure they have their own cutlery in their lunch boxes, the authority added.

School principals have also been reminding parents to plan ahead and keep their kids’ meals healthy.

“We continue to reiterate the importance of fresh homemade meals. Children may bring their meals from home and they are always encouraged to include a fruit,” said Deepika Thapar Singh, CEO-principal of Credence High School.

“Teachers eat their meals with the children during breaks to observe what the kids are eating and also remind them about the importance of having a strong immunity,” Singh added.

During lunch breaks, teachers will also have to make sure students won’t be sharing food with each other, the KHDA stated in its protocol.

Social distancing and capacity limits should also be monitored at cafeterias, it added, Disposable items should be used and the highest standards of hygiene must be maintained.

“Buffets and other forms of meal gatherings are not allowed. Meal breaks should be staggered to ensure the recommended of one metre of physical distance among all students,” the KHDA said.

In preparation for the new academic year, many schools in Dubai have revamped their kitchens and adopted new ways to prioritise the health and nutrition of their students and staff. The goal, they said, is to bolster their immune systems amid the pandemic.

Lisa Johnson, principal of American Academy for Girls (AAG), said: “With the support of Taaleem, we secured a new food provider, Leela’s Lunches, who have built the foundation of their company based on shifting the dietary habits of children towards real and whole foods.