Dubai schools can move online for a 48-hour period without prior approval, according to an announcement by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

Updated health and safety protocols mean that school leaders are now able to move either a class, year/ grade or the whole school to distance learning for two days without needing to go through the usual approval process.

The Dubai private school regulator announced the update on its social media channels on 5 January 2021.

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

This move forms part of a larger update on school health and safety protocols, introduced in January 2022, in response to the global rise in COVID cases due to the Omicron variant.

This news comes as parents in Dubai call for tighter PCR testing measures for students returning to face-to-face learning.

Other updates to the KHDA COVID health and safety protocol include:

No PE lessons

No school trips, events and internal gatherings – such as assemblies and performances – must be put on hold. This includes PE lessons.

No ECAs

Extra-curricular activities taking place at the school, either within or outside of school hours, must be put on hold.

No food served onsite

Cafeterias and canteens must be closed.

Online provision must be offered to children with COVID symptoms

As of January 2022 Children with COVID symptoms must now be offered the option of distance learning. The choice to have remote teaching was first introduced at the beginning of the pandemic, but was previously withdrawn from Dubai private schools on 3 October 2021.

Close contacts of COVID patients must have an online learning option

Students who are close contacts of a COVID positive patient must also be offered the option of distance learning. In line with Dubai Health Authority guidelines, students and staff who have been identified as close contacts by the school’s Health and Safety Officer must quarantine for seven days. Students must be given the option of distance learning.

These changes will be in place for two weeks starting from Monday, January 3, and apply to all Dubai private schools.

KHDA January 2022 COVID protocol changes in full

What changes have been made?

As a precautionary measure, all trips, events and internal gatherings – such as assemblies and performances – must be put on hold. This includes PE lessons.

Extra-curricular activities taking place at the school, either within or outside of school hours, must be put on hold.

Cafeterias and canteens must be closed.

Why have these changes been made?

The health, safety and wellbeing of the Dubai education community continues to be a priority. Dubai Government authorities are working together to monitor and update policies to ensure students and staff stay safe in a changeable environment.

How long will these changes be in place?

These changes will be in place for two weeks starting from Monday, January 3rd. Any updates to this will be shared as quickly as possible.

Which Dubai schools do these changes apply to?

These changes apply to all private schools in Dubai.

What happens if students have Covid symptoms?

Students who have Covid symptoms must not go to school. Instead, schools must give students with Covid symptoms the option of distance learning. Students may return to school when they no longer show any Covid symptoms. A PCR test is not required.

For a complete list of Covid symptoms, please refer to Dubai Health Authority.

What happens if students or staff are identified as close contacts?

In line with Dubai Health Authority guidelines, students and staff who have been identified as close contacts by the school’s Health and Safety Officer must quarantine for seven days. Students must be given the option of distance learning.

A PCR test is not required for close contacts to return to school unless they develop Covid symptoms. Household members of the close contact do not need to self-isolate, unless the close contact develops Covid-19 symptoms.

What happens if students or staff test positive for Covid-19?

In line with Dubai Health Authority guidelines, students and staff who have tested positive for Covid-19 must complete 10 days of home isolation. Students must be given the option of distance learning. They must receive a clearance certificate authorised by Dubai Health Authority before returning to school. 

What can schools do if students and staff test positive for Covid, or are close contacts?

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. 

Are face masks still necessary?

Face masks play a crucial role in preventing the spread of Covid. All students above the age of six, and all adults at school, must continue to wear masks properly in line with health and safety protocols.