'Take off the Masks Outside' - KHDA

This article is part of an editorial series on Covid-19

Dubai's educational institutions are being asked to get in line with the recent announcement from the Dubai Government regarding Covid-19 safety protocols. That means no face masks outside, and no isolation for students or staff who show no symptoms, but have come in contact with someone testing positive for Covid-19. 

In a letter sent to all Early Learning Centre managers, and seen by WhichSchoolAdvisor.com, Mohammed Darwish, CEO of Permits and Compliance at the KHDA stated that:

• Facemasks are no longer required outdoors. They remain compulsory indoors for all adults and children older than 6 years.
• Children or staff who are considered close contacts but do not show Covid symptoms are not required to isolate and can continue attending the centre.
• Children or staff who are considered close contacts and show Covid symptoms can only return when they are free of symptoms, even if they have a negative PCR test.
• Centres must continue to inform parents if their child is considered a close contact
• Children or staff who test positive for Covid must isolate for 10 days.
• Health and safety staff must continue with contact tracing
• Consistent and regular sanitsation procedures must continue to be followed
• Safety standards from relevant Dubai Government authorities (Municipality, DHA, etc) must continue to be followed.
• Physical distancing is recommended.

The rules are very much in line with the more general instructions to Dubai's population at large from the Dubai government. 

While the notification seen by WhichSchoolAdvisor.com had been sent directly to a manager at an Early Childhood Center, we believe the same note will have also been sent to nurseries and schools. We have sought clarification from the KHDA regarding this, and will update this story as soon as it has been received.