Education authorities in Abu Dhabi have told parents to ensure their children are tested for Covid-19 before they return to school next month.
They must share the report with the school, while the use of the Al Hosn smartphone app is recommended but not mandatory, said the Department of Education and Knowledge, the emirate's private school operators.
There are about 200 private schools in Abu Dhabi so it is estimated that tens of thousands of pupils must undergo tests. Only pupils above the age of 12 have to be tested for Covid-19.
Abu Dhabi's private schools will have a staggered return to the classroom, with most pupils aged between four and 11 returning to in-person lessons on August 30. Pupils in all other years will start face-to-face lessons four weeks later.
PCR nasal swab tests in most screening centres cost about Dh370 per person.
“Arrange for your child to undergo a Covid-19 PCR test prior to the start of the new academic year and share the report with their school. This only applies to those who are aged 12 and above.
“While we encourage the use of the Al Hosn app, this is not mandatory,” the department said on Monday.
“If you’re not in the UAE, plan to return at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the new academic year to meet any requirements of quarantine [or] Covid-19 testing enforced by the UAE Government.”
Parents must also sign a declaration form promising they will not send their child to school if they exhibit any Covid-19 symptoms.
Parents have been waiting to hear about the new guide so here is what you need to know:
Do all pupils have to undergo Covid-19 tests and wear masks at school?
Only pupils over the age of 12 must be tested. Pupils who have special needs will be exempt from Covid-19 tests before they head back to school. All children over the age of six will have to wear a mask.
Children in Kindergarten one and two will not have to wear masks but those in grade one and above must wear masks.
If a child is unable to wear a mask, they may be allowed to wear a face shield after providing a medical certificate.
Teachers of pupils who use hearing impairments may use transparent masks.
Authorities have permitted children to wear gloves but have not recommended it as gloves are less effective than hand washing.
How will schools ensure hygiene and safety?
Toilets and high-contact surfaces such as light switches, handrails and doorknobs will be disinfected every hour.
Schools will also carry out general disinfection once every day and all classrooms will have sanitising wipes, hand sanitiser and covered bins. Schools will have a nurse or registered medical professional and a quarantine room for pupils or staff members.
Can parents drop off and pick up their children from school?
Parents will only be allowed inside the school if their child has special needs but exceptions may be made for younger pupils. However, the parent will need a Covid-19 negative test result within the past 72 hours to enter the school.
Only one parent or guardian will be allowed to accompany children outside the entrance of the school and will be allowed to pick up the child in the designated waiting area. The adult must wear a mask while dropping or picking the pupil. Schools may stagger entry and exit times for to avoid crowds.
What will classes look like?
Classes may be split into two or more groups to ensure social distancing. The child will remain in this group until the end of the regulations.
If your child uses the school bus, they will also be part of a fixed group using the bus.
Some schools may convert non-teaching areas such as gymnasiums and libraries into classrooms and these areas will be separated by a physical barrier and separate entrances and exits.
Classrooms will be organised to ensure pupils maintain a 1.5-metre distance and children will be allocated fixed seats they must use this term.
Younger pupils will be grouped into bubbles of up to 10 children. A bubble is a group of pupils and staff members who spend the entire day together and do not interact with others.
For pupils who have special needs, the school must develop an individual education plan and a risk assessment plan.
What happens if a child feels sick while at school?
If a child feels unwell, they will be moved to the quarantine room and their parent will be contacted immediately to pick up their child from the school. If the child tests positive for Covid-19, the parent has to inform the school.
What about after-school activities?
Physical education classes will remain suspended while virtual alternatives may be available.
The school may reduce the number of cultural activities on offer such as music and art.
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Norway
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Canada
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Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 race, 12:30pm
Formula 1 final practice, 2pm
Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm
Formula 2 race, 6:40pm
Performance: Sam Smith
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
Dubai World Cup nominations
UAE: Thunder Snow/Saeed bin Suroor (trainer), North America/Satish Seemar, Drafted/Doug Watson, New Trails/Ahmad bin Harmash, Capezzano, Gronkowski, Axelrod, all trained by Salem bin Ghadayer
USA: Seeking The Soul/Dallas Stewart, Imperial Hunt/Luis Carvajal Jr, Audible/Todd Pletcher, Roy H/Peter Miller, Yoshida/William Mott, Promises Fulfilled/Dale Romans, Gunnevera/Antonio Sano, XY Jet/Jorge Navarro, Pavel/Doug O’Neill, Switzerland/Steve Asmussen.
Japan: Matera Sky/Hideyuki Mori, KT Brace/Haruki Sugiyama. Bahrain: Nine Below Zero/Fawzi Nass. Ireland: Tato Key/David Marnane. Hong Kong: Fight Hero/Me Tsui. South Korea: Dolkong/Simon Foster.
Premier League results
Saturday
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Arsenal 1
Bournemouth 0 Manchester City 1
Brighton & Hove Albion 1 Huddersfield Town 0
Burnley 1 Crystal Palace 3
Manchester United 3 Southampton 2
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Cardiff City 0
West Ham United 2 Newcastle United 0
Sunday
Watford 2 Leicester City 1
Fulham 1 Chelsea 2
Everton 0 Liverpool 0
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
Liverpool 4-1 Shrewsbury
Liverpool
Gordon (34'), Fabinho (44' pen, 90' 3), Firmino (78')
Shrewsbury
Udoh (27'minutes)
Man of the Match: Kaide Gordon (Liverpool)
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies – by Kiana Danial
There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine.
Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.
Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
Begin your cryptocurrency journey here.
Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
