Schools and universities in UAE to operate at 100 per cent capacity from January 2022

Health authorities recommend a third vaccine dose for teachers, support staff and pupils

Hundreds of school pupils aged 12 years and above, including university students, will receive Covid-19 vaccinations ahead of the new academic year.

The pop-up vaccination centre is open daily from12pm 8pm until August 7.

Bookings are not required, but students must present their Emirates ID card and Al Hosn app.

Adek is collaborating with the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, Mubadala Health and Yas Mall to organise the pop-up vaccinations.

Pupils 12 years and older who choose in-school learning for the new term are encouraged to receive a vaccination against coronavirus infection.

Pupils in Abu Dhabi have been quick to respond to a new pop-up vaccination centre at Yas Mall.

All schools and universities will return to 100 per cent capacity from January next year but must continue to follow Covid-19 safety measures.

The announcement was made at the weekly Covid-19 briefing on Tuesday.

Authorities recommended that all eligible teachers, support staff, and pupils receive a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to gain protection from the new variants.

“We have studied the developments during the first term. All schools complied with precautionary measures to ensure a safe return of the pupils,” a government spokesman said at the briefing.

“There has also been a sharp drop in the number of daily cases in the country and it is safe for all pupils and students to return to the classroom in January — the beginning of the second term.”

"We laud the efforts of administrative and teaching staff who adhered to all procedures aimed at ensuring the health and safety of everyone in educational establishments."

School buses can also operate at 100 per cent capacity, but operators must ensure staff and pupils on board wear masks and there is proper ventilation.

Medical tests will be conducted at schools, in line with regulations.

Schools can also host events and parents may be invited, while complying with preventive measures. Parents should have the ‘E’ status on their Al Hosn app and also take a PCR test within 96 hours.

PE lessons can also resume at full capacity.

All students should be vaccinated to enter university dormitories. Those who are not medically fit to be inoculated should present a negative Covid-19 test result every week.

“All educational facilities at the state level will be monitored to ensure the application of precautionary and preventive measures by the competent authorities and in co-operation with the Ministry of Education,” the spokesman said.

Dubai's private schools ended distance learning on October 3. Schools in Sharjah are already operating at 100 per cent capacity.