Abu Dhabi eases guidelines for nurseries

New guidelines are in place for operating children's nurseries in Abu Dhabi.

The changes will lead to an increase in the number of students within 'bubbles'.

There will also be provisions for closing a bubble instead of the entire nursery if a positive COVID-19 case is reported.

Abu Dhabi's Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee approved the changes following a consistently low infection rate at nurseries in the emirate.

It added that more than 77 per cent of nursery staff have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

The revised guidelines will come into effect on July 1:

• Nurseries will continue to operate with a lower capacity and caring for children in small groups or bubbles but the bubbles now can include more children
• For the age group of 45 days to 2 years, a bubble can include 12 children, up from 8, while for the age group of 2 years to 4 years, a bubble can include 16 children, up from 10
• Nurseries must continue to ensure a minimum space requirement of 3.5 square metres per child in each classroom, and 5 square metres in open areas
• The bubble in which a positive case is detected will be closed for 10 days. If three or more bubbles are affected, then the entire nursery will close for 10 days, based on specific measures

The operating procedures will also continue to include:

• Regular inspections to ensure health procedures are implemented
• Providing all staff with mandatory virtual training on implementing COVID-19 protocols
• Appointing a health and safety officer and hiring a nurse in every nursery, who will check the temperature of children, educators and staff on a daily basis, and not admit any person with a potential COVID-19 symptom

The committee reiterated that it will continue to review and assess the compliance of nurseries with precautionary measures to ensure maintaining the health and safety of children and staff.

Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has approved updated requirements for operating children's nurseries, following consultation with operators and parents, a consistently low infection rate in the emirate’s nurseries and the vaccination of 77 per cent of staff. pic.twitter.com/L6WJpNMA2h

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) June 21, 2021