Covid-19: Schools in Dubai can move to distance learning for 48 hours without prior approval – KHDA

Schools across Dubai are permitted to move a class, grade or the entire campus to distance learning for a 48-hour period without prior approval, if students/staff test positive for Covid-19, the emirate’s education regulator Knowledge and Human Development Authority has said.

“Schools are trusted to protect the health and safety of students and staff at all times. Existing procedures enable school leaders to move a class, grade/year level or the whole school to distance learning for a 48-hour period without prior approval. We work closely with school leaders to ensure that students and staff are able to return to a safe school environment,” KHDA said in the FAQ section on its website.

Existing health & safety protocols enable school leaders to move a class, grade/year level or the whole school to distance learning for a 48-hour period without prior approval. Check out the updated FAQs here: https://t.co/gMnULz0Obe

— KHDA (@KHDA) January 5, 2022

All students above the age of six, and all adults at school, must continue to wear masks properly in accordance with safety protocols, KHDA added.

Furthermore, the regulator explained that as a precautionary measure, all trips, events and internal gatherings – such as assemblies and performances – must be put on hold, including PE lessons. Extra-curricular activities taking place at the school, either within or outside of school hours, must also be temporarily decommissioned. Cafeterias and canteens must too be closed.

The UAE has recorded an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases recently. The country’s health authority reported 2,708 infections on January 5, raising the total case count to 774,897.

Read: UAE reports 2,708 Covid-19 cases, 743 recoveries