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Abu Dhabi / WAM
Teachers, students and parents throughout Abu Dhabi are eyeing a major step to education normalcy after the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) relaxed a slew of school-related Covid-19 prevention protocols.
ADEK announced in a circular sent to all private and Charter Schools that all students must return to in-classroom learning. Only weeks after ADEK removed physical distancing requirements in outdoor open areas for the current term, physical distancing requirements will be lifted inside classrooms in time for the new term.
Complementing ADEK’s unwavering efforts to ensure the ongoing health and safety of the education sector and wider Abu Dhabi community, the updated protocols follow widespread compliance with precautionary measures across the emirate’s school community — with the proactive collective response enabling the safe return to education ecosystem normalcy.
All students must return to in-classroom learning for the new term, although students can be exempted if they present an attested ‘high risk’ medical report that confirms their inability to attend school in-person. Schools will also be given the option to lift physical distancing requirements in classrooms, with students in grades 1-12 required to wear face masks. This new step will enable schools to return to full capacity and empower all Abu Dhabi students to resume in-classroom education.
The full return to in-classroom education excludes students exempted on medical grounds, students showing COVID-19 symptoms, or when the school shifts to distance learning due to closure requirements.
Unvaccinated students aged 16 and above can now return to school upon providing a negative PCR test result every seven days.