Nurseries, child care centres to reopen in UAE with Covid-19 safety measures

Dubai - Nurseries are to operate at reduced capacity, with children to be cared for in 'bubbles' of no more than 10.

By Nandini Sircar

Published: Thu 27 Aug 2020, 10:18 PM

Last updated: Fri 28 Aug 2020, 1:55 AM

Nurseries and childcare centres in the UAE will be allowed to operate with all Covid-19 precautionary measures in place, the National Crisis & Emergency Management Authority announced on Thursday.
Recently, around 79 nurseries in the country came together to appeal to authorities for support and reopening guidance. They had expressed their readiness to comply with all safety measures, if they were given a chance to operate again.
Also read: Work from home policy for Dubai govt staff

Nurseries are to operate at reduced capacity, with children to be cared for in 'bubbles' of no more than 10. Children and staff must undergo daily temperature and health checks, and nurseries will be subject to periodic inspections to check compliance with safety measures.
- ???? ?????? ???????? (@admediaoffice) August 27, 2020

????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ???????? ?????? ????? ??????? ??? ???????? ???????? ???????? ??????? ????
#?????_??????
#CommitToWin pic.twitter.com/u0U9gcPQCA
- NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 27, 2020

While giving the green light, the NCEMA highlighted a set of mandatory measures to ensure the health and safety of children and workers. This includes temperature checks and regulating the entry of staff and parents into the nursery.
Additionally, a laboratory examination for all staff and workers should be conducted every two weeks. All sterilisation and hygiene procedures related to the running of nurseries will be applied, taking into account a physical distancing of 1.5 metres and a density ratio of 3.5 square metres in each group.
Groups will be separated from each other and maximum possible space should be maintained.
A special mechanism will also be set up for the use and sterilisation of games. These items will not to be circulated between groups. The protocols also state that meals for children will have to be provided by parents.
Competent authorities will inspect the nurseries periodically to ensure that the precautionary measures are strictly implemented. Penalties will be imposed on any institution that violates the national protocol.