UAE nurseries, childcare centers to reopen

DUBAI: Nurseries and childcare centers in the UAE can reopen as long as all precautionary measures are followed, the Ministry of Education and National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) said.
The educational facilities will measure temperatures and regulate the movement of staff and parents’ entry to nurseries and childcare centers to ensure their safety, state news agency WAM reported.
All staff must undergo coronavirus tests every two weeks, the ministry said. The health status of all children will also be monitored regularly, it added.
The ministry also said disinfection procedures must be carried out on a regular basis and people must maintain physical distancing of 1.5 meters. The center will also divide the children into groups according to the age of every child to ensure their safety.
“All toys and games must be sterilized and must not to be shared between groups, while youngsters’ meals must be provided by their parents,” WAM reported.
Meanwhile, Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al-Maktoum ordered the implementation of the remote work policy in Dubai government entities for female workers with children in Grade 9 or below who are undertaking distance learning.
The policy will be in effect starting next week and female employees can work from home if their job can be done remotely and does not affect the work of the government entity they are working for.
“They are also allowed to work from home based on an approved school schedule and only on the days the children are attending classes remotely,” WAM reported.
Fathers working for the Dubai government who do not have caregivers to take care of their children’s distance learning will also be allowed to work from home.
The UAE’s latest coronavirus caseload includes 68,511 infections, 378 deaths and 59,472 recoveries.