Remote learning and work announced in UAE for Thursday and Friday

The UAE has called for remote work and distance learning to be implemented on Thursday and Friday as the country prepares for heavy rain and thunder.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority on Wednesday issued the guidance for all schools and universities and the public and private sector.

Weather-related directives were then issued by authorities in each emirate which followed NCEMA's instructions.

The crisis authority said remote-working measures would apply to all staff, except those required to be physically present.

All roads leading to flood-hit areas should be closed in an effort to limit the impact of the adverse weather, the authority stated.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation advised private sector companies to apply flexible and remote work patterns on Thursday.

Distance learning had already been announced for all private schools in Dubai and Sharjah on Thursday and Friday because of expected extreme weather.

Officials announced that all government schools in the UAE would similarly introduce remote learning on both days.

However, key exams at some schools will still go ahead in-person, The National has learnt.

Heavy rainfall, thunder and lightning are forecast for parts of the UAE this week.

“With unstable weather predicted, all Dubai private schools, nurseries, and universities must offer distance learning on Thursday, May 2 and Friday, May 3,” the Knowledge and Human Development Authority posted on X.

Sharjah authorities confirmed on Wednesday that all schools and universities in the emirate would also adopt distance learning on Thursday.

Government employees in the emirate will work remotely on Thursday, with the exception of those in roles that require a physical presence, Sharjah's government media office said.

The directive only covers Thursday as Sharjah operates a four-day week, in which schools and government departments are closed on Fridays.

Public parks will be closed on both days as a safety precaution.

The National Centre of Meteorology said stormy weather would hit parts of the country from Wednesday night until Thursday evening.

“[There will be] moderate to heavy rain in scattered areas with lightning and thunder at times, with the possibility of some hail, starting in the west on Wednesday night and extending over most regions of the country on Thursday,” the NCM said, according to state news agency Wam.

The NCM also said winds would reach speeds of 65kph on Thursday.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority has held meetings to prepare for the expected weather.

The authority said, on X, that it was “studying and evaluating the weather and their implications for areas that may be affected”.

Strict adherence to safety protocols was essential, said NCEMA, especially in areas prone to heavy rainfall.

But NCM meteorologist Esraa Al-Naqbi told The National the current weather is typical and does not compare with the storm in April that brought much of the country to a standstill.

She said that, in contrast, the weather is only a single wave beginning on Wednesday evening which is set to cover the entire country on Thursday. It has been classified as moderate while the previous storm was considered moderate to strong.

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