BREAKING NEWS: Face masks *** WILL *** be required inside UAE schools for 2022/2023 academic year

Wearing face masks in UAE schools will remain obligatory in closed places, according to an announcement by Hazza Al Mansouri, the Official Spokesman of the UAE Education Sector.

In a UAE government briefing on 23 August 2022, Al Mansouri outlined an update on the protocol for the operation of educational facilities.

Although there has been mounting pressure from UAE parents for face masks to be scrapped for schoolchildren, this announcement makes clear that face masks in UAE schools will still be required when indoors for the foreseeable future.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) also announced the renewed protocol on its Twitter:

“Wearing face masks is mandatory inside closed areas, while students and personnel who have contracted COVID-19 or those suffering from respiratory symptoms are allowed to choose the e-learning and remote work options.”

Other changes are outlined below.

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

Updated COVID-19 protocol for UAE schools 2022/23

Face Masks still obligatory in schools
Wearing face masks is mandatory inside closed areas, while students and personnel who have contracted COVID-19 or those suffering from respiratory symptoms are allowed to choose the e-learning and remote work options.

No more temperature-checking
Thermal scanning for students and employees will be scrapped, providing that anyone with a high temperature must refrain from attending classes, obtain sick leave and provide a negative PCR test result.

No more social distancing
Social distancing inside facilities has been cancelled and is left to the discretion of each facility, including on buses.

Unvaccinated students are welcomed back to class
All students are allowed to attend classes including those who are unvaccinated for medical reasons or with medical exemption.

Negative PCR needed to start school
Students aged 12 and over, administrative and educational staff, and service providers are required to obtain a negative PCR test result within 96 hours of the start of the first day of school.

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

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 23, 2022

Do these rules apply to all UAE schools?

This updated protocol applies to all UAE public schools.

It is not yet clear which aspects of the protocol will apply to the UAE’s private-sector schools, which also have their own regulators.

We will update when we receive further information.

Further information on face masks and Covid-19 mandatory requirements in schools

For Covid 19 and updates on the status of face masks you can read the KHDA News Channel here.

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