Only vaccinated university students can attend on campus learning in UAE

Aya Al Deeb, Staff Reporter

The UAE government has confirmed that only the fully vaccinated university students can attend face-to-face education in the campus with application of the green passage protocol to enter the facility.

The excluded students from vaccination based on official medical report will be allowed to attend with the need to present a COVID-19 PCR test weekly, otherwise, they can benefit from the distance learning option.

This came during the media briefing broadcast on Thursday.

The government announced that all students of all educational levels would be required to obtain a negative PCR test result of no more than 96 hours when they start studying in educational facilities at the beginning of the academic year.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority’s official spokesman Dr. Saif Al Dhaheri, said “The vital sectors have proven their capability and harmony to reach recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. And today, with the success of the national system it has achieved, the integration and commitment of all members of society, we are witnessing a noticeable decrease in number of coronavirus cases.”

He added, “In the previous media briefing, we announced a protocol for the operation of all educational facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the protocol is subject to updating and change based on the epidemiological situation in the country.”

He also said, “There are some procedures in the protocol that may differ from one emirate to another, and each emirate will clear them locally commensurate with the conditions in educational facilities in it.”

He explained that the age group 4-12 years must conduct (PCR) test or saliva examination monthly, whether they are vaccinated or not. Distance learning is available to them as well. The unvaccinated students from 12-18 years will be given a period of 30 days, starting from the first school day to take the vaccine. During this period, all vaccinated and unvaccinated students of this age group must present a PCR test every two weeks.

After 30 days, all students aged 12 years and above who received two doses of the vaccine and completed 14 days from the second dose, will have to conduct a PCR test monthly, Al Dhaheri added.

As for the unvaccinated students 12-18 years and those who are excluded from vaccination, must conduct PCR test weekly. The distance learning option will be available to them and to all age groups, whether they are vaccinated or not, Al Dhaheri confirmed.

The academic and administrative staff and service providers must receive at least two doses of the vaccine, as they can start duty in educational facilities after 14 days from the second dose with the application of the green passage protocol to enter the facility.

“With regard to organizing events in educational facilities, they will be allowed with a commitment to applying all precautionary and preventive measures, applying the green passage protocol to join the event, and presenting a negative PCR test result by each attendee,” Al Dhaheri said.