Education chiefs in Abu Dhabi have urged parents to avoid large gatherings and ensure children's play dates are closely monitored to combat the spread of Covid-19.
The Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek), the emirate's private school regulator, said "best judgement" should be used when deciding to send a pupil to class.
Officials advised that children should remain at home if anyone in their household is feeling unwell or displaying symptoms of the virus.
While the majority of children aged between four and 11 returned to in-person classes on August 30 in Abu Dhabi, pupils in high school are expected to return to class in late September or early October under a staggered plan.
Parents have the option of continuing distance learning for the duration of the first term of the academic year.
"Parents can [show] support by ensuring that they limit any potential exposure to Covid-19. This means staying away from crowded areas and avoiding large gatherings," an Adek spokesperson told The National.
"If your child is participating in extra-curricular activities or play dates, please ensure that they follow hygiene and social-distancing measures diligently.
"We ask parents to use their best judgement on the health status of their children every single day before going to school. If anyone in a family is unwell, or displaying any symptoms of Covid-19, please stay at home."
If children feel unwell, or have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for Covid-19, parents have been asked to inform the school immediately.
"It is best when in doubt to stay home and see a doctor until you get better or are cleared by a medical professional to be healthy enough to go to school."
Adek is also asking parents to show caution regarding potential Covid-19 cases at schools.
"We ask parents to avoid the spread of misinformation within parent groups and the wider community as we do not want to cause unnecessary panic," said the Adek spokesperson.
"We also trust parents to remain vigilant and continue practicing social distancing and wearing their masks in public."
Parents have been asked to monitor their children's temperature and check if they are have any Covid-19 symptoms such as cough, breathing difficulty or body aches.
"Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff is a collective responsibility and we rely on parents to maintain social distancing, wear masks and fully adhere to safety protocols and procedures," said the spokesperson.
To reduce risk, parents are not allowed inside the school building, and must adhere to strict guidelines for drop-off and pick-up in designated areas such as outside of the school gates or on sports fields.
They may only enter the school building by appointment and with a negative Covid-19 test.
Last week, some schools across the UAE resumed distance learning as a precaution after some staff were suspected to have contracted Covid-19.
The schools, which are in different emirates, closed classrooms to protect staff and pupils.
On Tuesday, authorities renewed their warning against social gatherings after a Covid-19 carrier's "reckless behaviour" resulted in 45 others being infected.
The man displayed symptoms but did not report his condition to health officials, said Dr Omar Al Hammadi, the federal government's spokesman said at the regular media briefing.
The man infected his wife and 44 others from three families after socialising with them.
One of the man's relatives, aged 90, had underlying health conditions and died of complications after being admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital, Dr Al Hammadi said.
The UAE recorded 883 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, its highest daily total since May 27.
Daily figures dropped as low as 164 in early August but have steadily been climbing since, prompting calls from authorities for the public to adhere to safety measures.
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Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
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Favourite travel destination: "Antigua in the Caribbean because I have emotional attachment to it. It is where I got married."
