AR
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Students across schools in Abu Dhabi are now allowed to take off their face masks during outdoor games and activities in playgrounds.
According to latest changes in COVID-19 protocols for schools issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek), physical distancing has also been made option for pupils in outdoor spaces. Circulars with updated changes have been issued to all private schools across the Emirate on Wednesday. These rules have been implemented by the Department after approval by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee.
Previously, face masks were compulsory for students in all areas of school and they were also mandated to maintain social distancing. These measures were implemented as precautionary protocols to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the emirate.
As per the new protocols, pupils in grade-2 and above are still required to wear face masks while indoors. However, they can remove masks during outdoor activities within the school compound. These rules are also applicable at nurseries in the emirate.
Here is the list of relaxed measures at schools:
- Physical distancing now optional in outdoor spaces.
- Wearing of face masks is optional in outdoor spaces.
- Field trips have been resumed in accordance with necessary precautionary measures of the place school are visiting.
- All school sports activities and competitions are allowed to resume for students of all ages. During these activities, schools must follow the reduced risk mitigation controls.
-In-school events and activities are allowed to resume with a limited capacity of 90 percent (ongoing entry requirements apply).
- School buses can permitted to operate at 100 percent capacity.
With regards to quarantine measures for close contacts in schools, Adek had earlier informed schools of the updated protocols under which quarantine requirements have been removed.
However, following testing requirements will apply for close contacts:
-Close contact students below 18 years old: No need for quarantine; students are required to test on days 1 and 4 of being in close contact with a COVID-19 positive person.
- Close contact students aged 18 and above; teachers and staff: No quarantine measures. They must test every day for the first five days after confirmed close contact with a COVID-19 positive person.
SOURCE: Khaleej Times