Schools in Abu Dhabi will continue distance learning for three more weeks, the emirate’s government announced.
Pupils had been set to return to classrooms on Sunday but the decision has been taken amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the UAE.
Authorities said the decision, which affects both private and public schools in the emirate, was taken to safeguard the "health and safety of the schooling community".
"The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee announces the continuation of e-learning for all academic levels for three more weeks from January 17, as a precautionary measure to limit the spread of Covid-19 and protect the health and safety of the schooling community," Abu Dhabi Media Office said on Saturday.
All pupils, including those with chronic health conditions, were previously told they could return to in-person lessons on Sunday.
It is the second time that the return to classrooms for the new term has been delayed.
Officials had announced on December 30 that pupils would adopt distance learning for the first two weeks of the new term, which commenced on January 3.
This was also meant to include Years 7 to 9, who had not returned to classrooms since schools switched to distance learning in March.
The UAE has recorded a steep rise in infection numbers cases since the start of the year.
On Friday, a record-high 3,407 infections were confirmed.
Infection numbers have remained above 3,000 for the past four days.
