Private schools in Abu Dhabi have been given a list of tough penalties for breaching coronavirus safety rules.
It ranges from warnings to fines of up to Dh250,000 in cases of serious non-compliance.
Schools can also be asked to switch to distance learning in the event of repeat offences.
The renewed warning came after hundreds of pupils in grades 9 to 12 returned to classrooms this week.
Children in Grades 6 to 8 will continue with distance learning for the foreseeable future.
Most children between the ages of 4 and 11 in the emirate returned to classrooms on August 30.
Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, the emirate’s schools regulator, and health authorities listed the safety measures to be followed.
Health authorities will carry out spot checks and visit schools once a month to ensure all guidelines are being observed.
Each school has been asked to appoint a compliance officer who will send daily reports to the regulator.
“We issued clear school reopening policies and guidelines at the end of July, which outlined the conditions under which schools can operate once they reopen,” an Adek representative said.
“We also issued a comprehensive compliance manual and checklist to all private schools, emphasising the stringent safety measures schools had to adhere to and the rectification measures and penalties against each possible compliance breach.”
When can schools be fined up to Dh250,000?
The authorities have given schools a checklist that should be followed.
Staff members, workers, and pupils aged 12 and above have to take a Covid-19 PCR test.
Only those who test negative will be allowed to return.
Schools must thoroughly clean and disinfect the premises daily.
They should check the temperature of all pupils and staff when they enter school and be on the lookout for anyone displaying coronavirus symptoms.
Pupils must be seated 1.5 metres apart, with a maximum of 15 children allowed in each class.
If there are more than 15 pupils in a class, the school should install physical barriers to divide groups and set up separate entry and exit points.
The school has to maintain a record of everyone who enters the campus.
Schools should also cordon off slides, swings and other playground equipment.
Only packaged meals can be served in canteens.
Schools have to set up an isolation room for children who may have fever or display any other symptom.
The isolation room should be near the reception area. This will minimise interaction with other pupils and help parents to collect their children quickly without entering the main area.
All prayer rooms will be closed. A school will be fined Dh250,000 if it fails to comply with these measures.
In case of a repeat offence, the school will be asked to move to full-time distance learning.
Dh100,000 for other rule breakers
Schools also need to follow additional guidelines, which include maintaining proper documentation of teachers and staff working in more than one bubble.
Floor markings should be visible, and schools must have signs and off-limit areas clearly indicated.
The school clinic should update the list of all staff and pupils who have underlying health conditions.
Staff must be aware of the guidelines and only authorised people can be allowed into the school.
Extra personal protective equipment should be available near the entry points.
Areas that are shared between more than one macro-bubble have to be heavily disinfected.
If a school fails to follow these guidelines, it will be fined Dh50,000 in the first instance, Dh75,000 the second time, and Dh100,000 the third time with an order to move to distance learning.
If there is a Covid-19 case in school?
An infected child or staff member will be asked to undergo quarantine at home for 14 days.
To return to school, they should have two consecutive negative tests taken on days 1 and 12 of the quarantine period or a clearance report from Abu Dhabi Health Services Company.
The child can take virtual lessons during this time. The same process applies to other pupils and staff identified through contact tracing.
If there are two or more positive Covid-19 cases, the school will temporarily move to distance learning.
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