In-person graduation ceremonies for high school pupils in Dubai will be allowed this year, the emirate's private education regulator announced on Wednesday.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) said ceremonies should be limited to 90 minutes and must be held under strict guidelines.
Food will not be allowed but pupils can invite two family members to the ceremony.
Graduation ceremonies can be held on school campuses or at external venues have enough capacity for social distancing.
Previously, the KHDA said schools were not permitted to hold in-person ceremonies on campus.
The KHDA, Dubai Tourism, and Dubai Municipality will co-ordinate to ensure rules are followed.
The school will be responsible for following protocols, whether on the school campus or at external venues.
School officials must record the names of people attending.
Graduates, guests, and academic staff will be exempt from taking a PCR test if they have received both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.
But those who have not been fully vaccinated must present a negative PCR test result obtained within 48 hours.
The school must have a plan for crowd management at the ceremony, and overcrowding must be avoided at all entrances and exits.
On the day of the graduation, pupils must wear their gowns and caps before entering the venue.
Graduates will be allowed to sit in their designated chairs and gatherings will not be allowed inside and outside the hall.
Physical contact such as shaking hands, hugging or kissing are not permitted
Guests and parents will not be allowed to enter the area designated for the graduates during the ceremony, the authorities said.
UAE universities to hold virtual graduations this year - in pictures
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Andalus Abdulwahhab celebrates from the sunroof of her car before her drive-through graduation from Ajman University because of Covid-19. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Students wait for their drive-through graduation from Ajman University. -
Students wait for their drive through graduation from Ajman University because of Covid-19. -
A student attends a drive-through graduation from Ajman University because of Covid-19. -
Celebratory balloons at the Ajman University graduation. -
Students wait for their drive-through graduation from Ajman University. -
Students wait for their drive-through graduation from Ajman University. -
A student takes a picture of her car before her drive-through graduation from Ajman University. -
Khaled Hadi waits in his car before his drive-through graduation from Ajman University. -
Eyad Al Keddah waits in his car before his drive-through graduation from Ajman University. -
Afra Mohammed waits in her car before her drive-through graduation from Ajman University. -
People attach balloons to their cars before the drive through graduation from Ajman University. -
A student receives her award during her drive-through graduation from Ajman University. -
A girl uses a smartphone during the Ajman University graduation. -
A student goes through a sterilisation booth during her drive-through graduation from Ajman University. -
Students go through a sterilisation booth during their drive-through graduation from Ajman University.
