Those who are exempt are required to take weekly PCR tests throughout the school year.

Sharjah's private schools will not be affected by the UAE's latest federal announcement on regular Covid-19 PCR testing for unvaccinated pupils.

“We will continue to work according to the guidelines we have announced,” said Dr Muhadditha Al Hashimi, chairman of the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA). “If any update should happen, we will announce it.” She continued.

According to its previously announced rules, students aged 12 years and above must have a Covid-19 PCR test before returning for the start of the school term. After that, no further tests are mandated.

School employees must be fully vaccinated and will be required to present a negative PCR test result before their first day of work.

Some staff are exempt from vaccination rules, such as pregnant women and those who might have an adverse reaction to the vaccine. Those who are exempt are required to take weekly PCR tests throughout the school year.

Newly-hired school employees who have yet to receive their vaccination will be given two months to receive both vaccine shots. During that grace period, they will have to undergo weekly PCR testing.

Furthermore, Dr Farida Al Hosani, the federal government's health spokeswoman, stated that students aged 12 and above need to be fully vaccinated within 30 days of schools reopening.

Following that grace period, weekly PCR tests will become mandatory for unvaccinated children aged over 12.

Vaccinated students, and those aged between 3 and 12 who have not been vaccinated, will need to be tested monthly.

Parents are required to download the Al Hosn app and add their children, to provide schools with printed copies of pupils' PCR and vaccination certificates.

The decision appears to largely cover government-run schools, with private schools in Dubai and Sharjah setting out their own protocols this week.

The National