Dubai private school pupils do not need PCR tests to return to class, say authorities

Physical distancing rules and face masks in indoor spaces remain compulsory

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  Pupils at The Indian High School, the UAE's largest school, return to class after the summer holidays on Monday. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Pupils and staff will be required to wear masks indoors to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Masks are not required outside. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Most of the country's pupils returned to school on Monday, while others are expected to start later in the week. Pawan Singh / The National

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  A flash mob made up of high school pupils dances at one school during a welcoming ceremony. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Pupils attend the first assembly at The Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National

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  Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National

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  Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National

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  Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National

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  Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National

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  Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National

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  Children arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Parents drop off their children at Dubai British School after the long summer break. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Many pupils were up before 6am to catch the school bus. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Parents see off their children before classes begin on Monday. Victor Besa / The National

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  Pupils at Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi returned to school on Monday. Victor Besa / The National

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  A young pupil greets a member of staff on the first day of school at Al Mamoura Academy. Victor Besa / The National

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  Head teachers expressed their excitement at having children back on campus. Victor Besa / The National

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  Children in class on the first day of school at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A child arrives at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Kephren Sherry, head of primary at Citizens School Dubai, dressed up as superman while principal Tracy Moxley wore a Batman costume and director of learning Janice Butterworth put on a Ninja Turtle costume.

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Private school pupils in Dubai will not need to undergo a PCR test to return to class on the first day of term.

The latest guidelines from the Knowledge and Development Authority, which oversees private education in the emirate, state that there are no testing requirements.

An email sent to parents by the KHDA on Friday confirmed that existing health and safety policies at schools remained unchanged.

The email also informed parents that any updates on this would be communicated to them immediately.

Physical distancing will remain in place and people who have Covid-19 must isolate for 10 days. Face masks will remain compulsory indoors but are not required outdoors.

Pupils and staff who are close contacts of a person infected with the coronavirus but do not have any symptoms do not need to isolate and can attend school.

Abu Dhabi private school pupils aged 12 and above and staff will be required to take a PCR test before returning for the new academic year.

The emirate's Department of Education and Knowledge said a negative PCR test obtained no more than 96 hours before the first day of term on Monday must be presented.

These Covid-19 safety rules are in line with measures announced for government-run schools on Tuesday.

UAE pupils celebrate their GCSE results — in pictures

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  Rohan Radia receives his GCSE results at Brighton College, Dubai. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Thomas Bateson receives his GCSE results.

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  Sarah (L) and Abdulla Alshamsi receive their GCSE results with their mother.

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  Sofiya Zhuravleva.

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  Raaid Baloch.

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  Rohan Radia (L) and Lily Sandilands.

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  Mariam Morsi (L) with Maryam Ibrahim (head pupil).

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  Mariam Morsi (L) with Maryam Ibrahim (head pupil) receive their GCSE results at Brighton College, Dubai.

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  Mariam Morsi receives her GCSE results.

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  Riley George.

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  Abdulla Alshamsi speaks to headmaster Simon Crane after receiving his GCSE results.

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  A student receiving her GCSE results at Brighton College, Dubai.

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  Henry Fliss.

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  Sofiya Zhuravleva is overcome with emotion.