UAE: Students above age 12, staff must provide negative PCR test result for new academic year

Students above the age of 12 as well as teaching and administrative staff and service providers are required to provide a negative PCR test result taken with 96 hours on the first day of school, authorities have announced.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) has announced updated protocols for educational establishments for the academic year 2022-23. As many as one million students and 65,000 educational staff will return to commence the new year on August 29.

Wearing face masks is mandatory inside closed areas, while students and personnel who are infected with Covid-19 or those suffering from respiratory symptoms are allowed to opt for e-learning and remote working options.

The national protocol for operating educational establishments for the 2022-2023 academic year.
#TogetherWeRecover pic.twitter.com/P5yw637sq3

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 23, 2022

According to the protocols, all students are allowed to attend classes, including those who are unvaccinated for medical reasons or with medical exemption. For unvaccinated students due to medical reason/exemption who wish to access university campuses, a PCR test and adherence to the Green Pass system will suffice.

Social distancing inside educational facilities has been decommissioned and is left to the discretion of each facility, including inside buses. Temperature checks to screen for the Covid-19 infection of students and employees has been shelved as well. However, those that have a high temperature must avoid attending classes, obtain sick leave and offer a negative PCR test result.

NCEMA took to Twitter to encourage parents and staff to commit to all preventive measures.

We urge parents and teaching staff to adhere to all preventive measures and raise the awareness of students, to support the recovery efforts and their sustainability.
#TogetherWeRecover pic.twitter.com/BVFfXaWb4l

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 23, 2022

The UAE reported 612 new Covid-19 cases on August 23, raising the nationwide case count to 1011,011. A total of 591 recoveries were also reported by the country’s health ministry.

#UAE announces 612 new #COVID19 cases, 591 recoveries and no deaths in last 24 hours. #TogetherWeRecover #WamNews pic.twitter.com/bMyKhVJUMu

— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) August 23, 2022