The latest updates on COVID-19 include:
- UAE curfew – the UAE government announced on 25 June 2020 ,that it has ended the curfew and lifted restrictions on movement at night.
- Abu Dhabi Restriction of movement – the Abu Dhabi Media Office tweeted on 25 June 2020, that residents may now move freely within Abu Dhabi, and leave the emirate without a permit. However, in order to re-enter Abu Dhabi a negative COVID-19 test is currently required to be shown.
- Dubai return to work – the Dubai Media Office broadcast, via Twitter on 2 June 2020, the Dubai Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management’s announcement that shopping malls and private sector businesses in the emirate may operate at 100% capacity from 3 June 2020. It is currently understood that private sector employees suffering from respiratory conditions and those with compromised immunity, should continue working remotely.
- Dubai Schools Reopening Protocol – the Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has issued a protocol for reopening private schools in Dubai in September. The Protocol lists various requirements, which schools will be required to comply with, including;
- The requirement for the classroom teacher to be responsible for referring students with COVID-19 symptoms to the school nurse for further screening.
- The protocol requires staff to be discouraged from leaving school premises during the working day but, if they do, they should sanitise, change clothes and undergo thermal scanning before returning.
- A health and safety designated staff should be appointed to handle any COVID related emergencies, monitor the implementation of health and safety procedures and conduct training for students and staff.
- Staff, guests and students who are confirmed as COVID-19 positive, should not be permitted to return to school until they are granted a clearance certificate by the Dubai Health Authority confirming that they are discharged from isolation.
- A policy of “staying at home if unwell” should be enforced for students, teachers and other staff.
- Staff, visitors and students over the age of 6 must wear masks at all times, save for eating and during high intensity physical education (subject to some exemptions).
- Staff (and students) with high risk conditions should be offered alternative means of education such as online schooling, until further notice.
For more information on these articles or any other issues involving labour and employment matters in the United Arab Emirates, please contact Rebecca Ford (Partner) at Clyde & Co at Rebecca.Ford@clydeco.ae or visit www.clydeco.com.
For more information please contact Joseph Granato, Communications Manager at L&E Global at joseph.granato@leglobal.org.