Pupils in Abu Dhabi can now take their masks off outdoors amid series of major changes

The move comes days after education regulators in the capital confirmed quarantine for close contacts was being scrapped in schools

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  Key safety measures were in place at The British School Al Khubairat on January 31 as pupils returned. Victor Besa / The National

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  A pupil heads back to The British School Al Khubairat on January 31. Victor Besa / The National

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  Two young pupils return to in-person studies at Brighton College in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A young learner heads to class at Brighton College. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Senior school pupils were welcomed back at Brighton College .Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Brighton College offered a warm welcome to returning learners. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Brighton College in Abu Dhabi is now able to offer in-person teaching for all of its age groups. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Physical distancing rules remain in place to keep the school population safe. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  The familiar walk to school was back on the agenda on January 31. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A young pupil prepares to reunite with classmates at Brighton College . Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A Brighton College learner makes his way to class. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A pupil returns to the Brighton College campus in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Many Brighton College Pupils were back on the school bus to start the week. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi marked another milestone moment on January 31. Victor Besa / The National

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  Pupils get set for in-person lessons at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  A young learner makes his way to class at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  A pupil is given some guidance on their return to The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  January 31 marked a first day back to school for thousands of pupils across the country. Victor Besa / The National

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  Safety remains paramount at The British School Al Khubairat. Victor Besa / The National

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  A pupil gets set for in-person teaching at The British School Al Khubairat. Victor Besa / The National

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  A young learner on the back to school trail. Victor Besa / The National

Pupils in Abu Dhabi are now allowed to remove their face masks during playtime outdoors, as part of major changes to Covid restrictions at private schools in the emirate.

The move, which will be welcomed by many parents, comes days after education regulators in the capital confirmed quarantine for close contacts was being scrapped in schools.

Previously, face masks were mandatory in all areas and close contacts were transferred to distance learning for 10 days.

Under the new rules, pupils in Year 2 and above must still wear face masks while indoors, but they can remove them when they go outside to play.

Children in kindergarten and Year 1 were never required to wear masks.

Other changes for schools include:

• Physical distancing is now optional outdoors
• All field trips can resume (schools to follow precautionary measures of the place they are visiting)
• All sports activities and competitions can resume for pupils of all ages
• In-school events and activities, including school assemblies, can be carried out with a capacity of up to 90 per cent
• Bus capacity is now 100 per cent

Last week, schools were informed that close contacts of Covid cases will continue to be identified and informed. They can now keep attending school in person but need to take PCR tests.

Pupils are only required to take tests on the first and fourth days.

However, any teachers and employees who know they have been exposed to the virus must take PCR tests for five consecutive days, in line with the latest government announcement.

Parents will be asked to share a screenshot from the Al Hosn app of the results.

Classes will move to distance learning for seven days if there are three or more Covid cases, as they do currently.

And pupils with Covid will still be required to isolate for 10 days.

All of the changes, including close contact rules, also apply to nurseries.

The moves are part of the gradual unwinding of coronavirus restrictions as the country adapts to living with the virus.

Nurseries, schools and universities in Dubai announced similar changes earlier this week. Restrictions on bubble sizes were also removed for children under the age of 6 in Dubai.

The changes came after authorities eased coronavirus rules in public places last Friday, making face masks optional outdoors across the UAE.

Masks do however remain mandatory inside, and rules on physical distancing are still in place.

In other changes, close contacts of positive cases no longer have to quarantine.

That means people who know they have been exposed to the virus are now free to leave their homes at any time, but they must take PCR tests for five consecutive days. Daily testing is not, however, required in Dubai, which sets its own rules.

PCR testing was scrapped for fully vaccinated travellers across the country.

But anyone who is not vaccinated must show a negative PCR test conducted not more than 48 hours before departure, or a recovery certificate with a QR code proving they have had the virus within a month of travel.

Abu Dhabi ended the use of tracking wristbands and its green list system. Officials also removed all controls on the border with Dubai, lifting the requirement to show the Al Hosn Green Pass when entering the emirate.