The Emirates Schools Establishment (ESE) has released new regulations for public school teachers and administrative staff who will be attending schools physically. These measures are to be adhered to in the coming week to protect everyone against Covid-19. The measures include segregating teachers, administrative and technical staff into groups (for instance; A, B and C), and their working hours not to exceed 50 per cent for the coming week.

Schools have to ensure separate rooms for teachers and administrative staff, not allowing them to mix at all times and no physical meetings being conducted. The meetings are to be held virtually.

ESE has distributed circular to all public schools in UAE, in which it has mentioned that measures will be in effect from Monday, January 17 until Friday, January 21.

All UAE public school students have resumed the second term with remote learning, that was to continue for two weeks. But authorities had announced last Wednesday that classes will be conducted virtually for one more week. This means that classes will be virtual till at least January 21. However, teachers and administrative staff have to go to school campuses from where they will conduct the remote classes.

In the circular, the establishment has urged all school administrators to ensure that vaccination of all staff and adhere to the Covid-19 measures, including wearing face masks and maintaining physical distancing at the school premises.

If someone tests positive in any of the groups (A, B, C or ..), measures have to be taken, including switching to virtual working for the entire group where an positive case has been detected. Teachers and administrative staff have also been instructed to follow precautionary measures while meeting visitors, including parents or students’ guardians and others. Everyone visiting the school campus must have green pass on Al Hosn app.

The establishment also underlined avoiding gatherings at all times and for everyone to eat meals alone in their offices during breaks. Teachers and administrative staff must also avoid sharing meals or drinks.

School administrators have also been told to warn campus cleaning companies to ensure their workers are not present at premises during official working hours. They must also have green pass on Al Hosn app. These companies must also notify the school administration immediately of any confirmed cases or exposure among their employees to prevent them from entering the schools.