Covid-19: unvaccinated Dubai school staff to undergo weekly PCR tests from Sunday

Staff not eligible for the vaccine or who have had their first dose will be exempt from testing

Thousands of teachers and staff working at private schools in Dubai were tested for Covid-19 before the start of the academic year. Courtesy: Dubai Health Authority

Teachers and staff at schools in Dubai who are eligible for a vaccine but have chosen not to take it will need to take weekly PCR tests starting April 11.

The decision will affect staff at all private education institutes in Dubai, including early learning centres, schools, universities and training institutes, according to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, the emirate's education regulator.

Teachers, support and outsourced staff and casual or part-time staff will be affected by the announcement.

Unvaccinated staff will need to take a weekly Covid-19 test, irrespective of whether they are working remotely or from the education institute's premises.

Teachers and staff do not need to take a PCR test while away on holiday.

Staff who are not eligible for the vaccine, or who have had their first dose, will be exempt from the weekly testing.

Any staff members who have symptoms of Covid-19 must also be tested.

Sharjah's private schools will reopen for in-person classes on April 11.

Pupils will be able to return to school after receiving a negative PCR test result.

The emirate's emergency, crisis and disaster management team and the Sharjah Private Education Authority announced that pupils would return to classrooms starting next Sunday, amid strict Covid-19 safety measures.

Dubai residents receive Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine – in pictures