Dubai: Non-vaccinated staff at private education institutes must take weekly PCR tests

All staff working in private education institutes across the emirate of Dubai are mandated to take a PCR test every seven days, should they choose not to be vaccinated against the Covid-19 infection.

This directive is applicable on those employees – either working remotely or onsite – who are eligible yet choose not to be vaccinated, Dubai’s education regulator, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) said as part of an updated list of protocols.

This ruling applies to all private education institutes, including early learning centres, schools, universities and training institutes, and covers support staff, outsourced and casual or part-time staff.

PCR tests are also mandatory if symptoms of Covid-19 are present. However, it is not necessary to take the PCR test while on holidays.

“You do not have to take the PCR test every seven days if you are not currently eligible for the vaccine, or if you have already had your first dose,” the KHDA confirmed.

Earlier this year, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and chairman of the Education and Human Resources Council encouraged employees in public and private educational institutions in the country, including teachers and administrative staff, to take the Covid-19 vaccine.

Read: UAE: Teachers and educational admin staff encouraged to take Covid-19 vaccine

The UAE reported 1,883 Covid-19 cases on April 7, raising the nationwide toll to 476,019.

In related academic news, KHDA also confirmed that private schools in Dubai cannot increase tuition fees for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Also read: Private schools in Dubai will not increase tuition fees next year, KHDA says