Authorities in the UAE announced that students aged 12 and above who have yet undergone COVID-19 vaccination will be required to take a PCR test every week for face-to-face learning.
On the other hand, vaccinated students aged 12 and above, and unvaccinated ones below this age will undergo a PCR test every month.
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Unvaccinated Students Attending Face-to-Face Classes in UAE Required to Undergo Weekly PCR Testing
This announcement came as part of the COVID-19 vaccination and PCR testing protocols for students of schools and colleges. It will be implemented after a grace period of 30 days from the first academic day, the Khaleej Times reported.
According to the spokesperson of the UAE healthcare sector, Dr Farida Al Hosani said that during the 30-day grace period all vaccinated and unvaccinated students will be required to take a PCR test every two weeks.
She added that parents will need to show proof of their children’s vaccination via the AlHosn app. In line with this, printing and bringing PCR test results and immunization certificates to school is required.
Meanwhile, distance learning will remain an option for both vaccinated and unvaccinated students, she said.
“The protocol will be updated based on the situation in the country. Health authorities are working on adding more age groups to those that require to be vaccinated,” Dr Farida noted.
Dr Farida then urged parents to vaccinate their children. Sinopharm vaccines are available to children aged three and up in the UAE, while Pfizer vaccines are available to individuals aged 12 and above.
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