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Covid-19 test must for Abu Dhabi students, teachers before returning to schools

Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi schools have been given the green light to resume in-classroom learning for the start of the 2020/21 academic year.

All students, teachers and administrative staff at Abu Dhabi private schools must be screened for Covid-19 before returning to campuses for the new academic year in September.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) confirmed the requirement to Khaleej Times. This policy shall be applied to all UAE schools and colleges, according to a report by Arabic daily Al Roeya.
"All staff and students in Abu Dhabi must undergo Covid-19 testing prior to being authorised to return to the school premises. Details concerning coverage, schedules, and process will be announced at a later time in conjunction with relevant authorities," read an Adek document that was sent to schools in the Capital, after they were given the green light to reopen in September.
Staff, parents and students are also required to download the AlHosn app for contact-tracing, and recent travel history should be declared. Masks will be mandatory for students aged over 12 years and anyone entering the school premises. A desk shield is recommended as an additional precautionary measure, it added.
Salman Khan, principal of Islamia Private School in Abu Dhabi, confirmed that they have received the document. (Read about the safety guidelines here.)
"The school's Covid-19 task force will constantly supervise and monitor learning procedures and operations to ensure compliance with Adek's policies and guidelines," said Khan. "Amidst these unsettling times, the return to school is a welcome step."
ismail@khaleejtimes.com