New Covid safety rules for Abu Dhabi schools: Full list

Abu Dhabi - Periodic PCR tests for students, staff; masks mandatory for students in grade 1/Year 2 and above.

Published: Mon 15 Feb 2021, 5:36 PM

Updated: Mon 15 Feb 2021, 5:37 PM

By
Ismail Sebugwaawo

Photo: Ryan Lim

The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) have issued new Covid safety guidelines for schools to follow. This came as schools across the emirate reopened with strict precautionary measures against the coronavirus.

Among the new guidelines are periodic PCR Covid-19 testing for students aged 12 and above. It is free for students who take the test as scheduled for their school. Students of determination are exempted from testing.

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Teachers and school staff must also take the Covid-19 test every two weeks. Masks are mandatory for students in grade 1/Year 2 and above.

Adek said students returning from abroad must adhere to the precautionary measures announced by health authorities.

According to Adek, students, teachers and administrative staff with chronic health conditions will be permitted to physically return to school with their physician’s approval. They or their guardians must sign a risk undertaking form, acknowledging the health challenges related to going back to school amid Covid-19.

Adek reaffirmed that remote learning option is still available for students.

Principals of some private schools in Abu Dhabi on Sunday told Khaleej Times that they had started receiving students for in-class lessons. The said majority of the parents had, however, decided that their children would continue with remote learning amid Covid-19.

Key guidelines:

>> Free periodic PCR Covid-19 tests for students aged 12 and above.

>> Teachers and school staff must take the Covid-19 test every two weeks.

>> Mandatory face masks for students in Grade 1 and above.

>> Teachers and administrative staff must wear masks at all times.

>> The maximum number of students allowed per class is 30.

>> 1.5 metres physical distancing must be ensured.

>> For KG, the class size is capped at 25 students.

>> Bubbles for younger children remain at a maximum of 10 students, in addition to a dedicated teaching team.

>> Staff and students with chronic health conditions can return to school with their physician’s approval and a signed risk undertaking form.

>> Parents may now enter school premises with a negative PCR test (valid 96-hour) or “emergency use” status on their AlHosn App.

>> School bus capacity has been increased from 50% to between 59% and 66%, depending on the type of vehicle, with continued application of all other safety measures.

>> If one positive case of Covid-19 is identified in the school community, all contacts of the infected person must self-isolate for 10 days, possibly including all members of their household as well.

>> If there are two or more cases of Covid-19 identified in the school, the school may be partially or fully shifted to distance learning for a minimum of 10 days.

>> Increased school inspection campaigns to ensure compliance with policies.