Private schools in Dubai have been given permission to switch to distance learning for a 48-hour period without prior approval, should coronavirus cases dictate.
The latest measure was announced by the emirate’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and applies to a single class, grade/year level or the entire school.
KHDA also said physical education lessons must be halted as a further precautionary measure.
A statement on the KHDA website said: “The health, safety and wellbeing of the Dubai education community continues to be a priority. Dubai Government authorities are working together to monitor and update policies to ensure students and staff stay safe in a changeable environment.”
The Dubai education authority had previously ordered collective classroom and extracurricular activities to be discontinued, while canteens were ordered to close for the first two weeks of the new term and gatherings and school trips suspended.
Neighbouring Abu Dhabi had earlier sanctioned distance learning for the opening fortnight of the new term for all students at both public and private schools in the emirate, including training institutes, colleges and universities.
At the weekly media briefing on Wednesday, Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, official spokesperson for the UAE health sector, revealed that 100 percent of the population have taken their first vaccine dose, while the rate of fully vaccinated individuals has reached 92.31 percent.
She said: “Studies have shown vaccine doses and booster shots help significantly reduce the rates of hospitalisation and death and reduce the virus’ mutations into new variants.”
The UAE reported 2,708 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday.
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