Safe Operations

Authorized Persons

Schools shall identify and communicate criteria for authorized entry to the school premises, with the objective of limiting entry to essential persons only.

Schools shall maintain rigorous logs of all persons accessing the school premises.

Authorized persons must meet the health requirements for entry and follow the relevant entry/exit protocol. Authorized persons include:

• Enrolled Students
• School staff
• Contract staff (security guards, janitorial staff, canteen staff, and other 3rd party providers working onsite)
• Other authorized persons (external providers and authorities, i.e. heavy item delivery personnel, construction workers, etc.)
• School-aged children of staff (if authorized to be present that day for onsite childcare)

Unauthorized persons are prohibited from entering the school premises, they must be identified and informed by the school accordingly. Unauthorized persons include:

• Parents/guardians
• Unenrolled siblings of students
• Other persons for whom the purpose for visitation can be carried out without entering the school premises (i.e. delivery of light goods, etc.)
• School-aged children of staff (if the school does not offer onsite childcare or if childcare is not required that day)
• Students of Determination should be considered on an equitable basis as all other students. A Risk Assessment should be conducted where necessary and the outcomes discussed with parents. Where the support of a third party is required for any Student of Determination, exemptions should be made as appropriate to allow their entry onto the school premises with the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as is determined in the Risk Assessment.

Health Requirements for Entry

All authorized persons may enter the school premises as long as long as they do not have the following COVID-19 related symptoms:

• Fever (37.5 C or above)
• Cough
• Body ache
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Headache
• Loss of smell or taste

* Staff and students with high-risk medical conditions, such as those listed below, should not be allowed on campus and may only physically return to school following an exemptions from ADEK (email COVID19.response@adek.gov.ae):

• Diabetes Mellitus
• Hypertension
• Active Asthma
• Cardiac Disease
• Disease
• Liver Disease
• Autoimmune disease
• Other chronic illnesses that could define them as high risk.

Health requirements are subject to change to reflect the latest information issued by health authorities.

Additional Entry Requirements for Contract Staff

Contract staff must also meet all the health requirements and conditions for schools in addition to those relating to their sector as determined by the relevant authorities.

Prior to entry, contractors must sign a declaration of understanding that any suspected cases amongst staff members will be reported to the school.

Contract staff who are suspected cases are not permitted to enter school premises, and for a confirmed case, clearance of all team members identified through contact tracing is required prior to their entry.

Daily logs of contract staff attendance and temperature scans must be kept.

Any subcontract staff must pre-approved by the school’s facilities manager (with 48 hours notice).

Any further requirements will be announced at a later date in conjunction with the relevant authorities.

Mandatory COVID-19 Test

* PCR Testing will be required once before school reopening for all staff and students aged 12 (Grade 7/Year 8) and above who are physically returning to school.

Staff and students who will continue to stay home do not need to take a PCR test. If they need to enter the school premises, they will be required to take a PCR test.

Students of Determination are exempt.

Students may be tested after that on an ad hoc basis. Staff will be tested more regularly.

Details of the staff testing program have already been shared with schools, and the testing program for students will be shared at a later time.

All staff, parents, and students with devices are recommended to download the AL HOSN App to facilitate contact tracing in case of an incident.

Admissions, Registration, Communication, and Orientation

School tours are suspended until further notice. Virtual tours and online meetings are recommended for parents of prospective students.

Schools shall communicate confirmation of enrollment to parents of new students as soon as is feasibly possible.

Schools shall use remote means (email, telephone, online meetings, etc.) whenever possible for all matters related to admissions, registration, communication, and payment, as well as ensuring timely responses to queries.

A dedicated contact number and/or email for parents to report COVID-19 emergencies should be made available.

*In the rare case that remote means are not possible, parents may request an appointment for an onsite meeting.

Textbook and uniforms should be packaged and sanitized prior to distribution.

For meetings and textbook/uniform distribution prior to reopening, parents may visit the school with an appointment and will be required to observe the three preventive measures. Their entries should be logged, and their movements limited to designated areas (with minimal interaction with staff).

For meetings and textbook/uniform distribution post-reopening, parents should observe the same pre-reopening protocol above if visiting the school after hours. Meetings should be purely administrative (ie. to make a payment due to inability to make online payments, for example) and meetings of all other types should only be held virtually. In the rare case of visiting during school hours, parents must also show a negative PCR test with 72 hours validity.

Student Medical Records

Schools shall maintain updated medical records as per Policy 35 of the Private Schools Policy and Guidance Manual 2014-15.

Student medical records must be kept confidential and only shared with relevant parties as outlined in Policy 35 of the Private Schools Policy and Guidance Manual 2014-15.

Guidelines for Daily Health Screening Prior to Leaving Home

* Schools shall communicate that parents are strongly advised to check their children’s temperatures and screen for symptoms before leaving the house. Children who exhibit symptoms or who are feeling generally unwell are required to stay home as per the health declaration form signed by parents.

Staff are strongly advised to check their own temperature and screen for symptoms before leaving the house. Staff who exhibit symptoms or who are feeling generally unwell are required to stay home. (24/08/2020)

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) Virtual Doctor can help assess symptoms and determine if medical help, testing, or home treatment is required: https://www.mohap.gov.ae/en/Aboutus/Pages/COVID-19.aspx