Back to school in UAE: Parents, kids excited about most normal classes since Covid-19

Back to school in UAE: Parents, kids excited about most normal classes since Covid-19

Authorities previously clarified that fortnightly PCR tests would not be required

Published: Sun 28 Aug 2022, 7:14 PM

Over one million students return to school tomorrow, Monday, August 29 and parents are excited for their children to have the most ‘normal’ schooling since the pandemic hit as most Covid-19 restrictions have been eased.

“The biggest relief has been that the fortnightly PCR tests have been scrapped,” said Neshra K.N., whose daughter Fathima Hamda goes to Grade 2 at Delhi Private School in Ras Al Khaimah. “It was a requirement for the children to have PCR tests every 2 weeks. While my daughter was quite cooperative, there would be many kids who would be crying, and it was quite heartbreaking.”

In updated Covid-19 protocols announced on Tuesday, authorities clarified that periodic PCR tests would not be required starting from tomorrow. Symptomatic students, however, will need to test.

Umm Maryam, a mother from Fujairah, also welcomed the scrapping of PCR tests. “Now children under the age of 12 don’t need to get tested and I am really happy about it,” she said. Her two daughters will be going back to Grade 4 and KG 2 at the St Mary’s school in Fujairah. “There would be huge queues