The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai has exempted students under the age of six from wearing face masks within the school premises as part of its protocols for the reopening of private schools in the emirate.
This protocol is in adherence to the announcement made earlier by Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management based on the recommendations of the COVID-19 Command and Control Centre that exempts children under 6 from wearing masks even in public spaces.
Meanwhile, teachers, staff, and students older than 6 years of age are required to wear face masks at all times.
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KHDA outlined only two conditions for exemptions on wearing masks:
– Students and staff with medical conditions are exempted from wearing a mask with a medical certificate only.
– Masks can be taken off during eating or during high-intensity physical activities.
All schools will be required to have sufficient stocks of masks, gloves and sanitizers must be available and special designated bins to throw used items (as recommended by relevant governmental authorities).
Upon the onset of the academic year, the school should collect health and travel declaration forms from all students and staff. The template of the form can be developed by the school.
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In case a student shows symptoms, such as cough, body aches, fatigue, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, diarrhea and nausea, and headache, the class teacher is responsible to refer students to the school nurse for further screening as per the guidelines.
While the government has yet to formally announce any specific date of school reopenings, KHDA has already prepared a list of safety guidelines to ensure a smooth transition from distance learning to an actual physical classroom set up when the academic year recommences in the country.
