Sharjah clarifies safety guidelines for new academic year

It's not mandatory for students enrolled in Sharjah's private schools to get vaccinated against COVID-19 at the start of the new academic year.

However, pupils aged 12 and above must present a negative PCR test result to return to school.

All staff and teachers must also have a negative test result in addition to being fully vaccinated.

Employees with vaccination exemptions must present a medical report and take a weekly PCR test.

New employees who are coming from abroad and are unvaccinated will be given two months time to get vaccinated.

Until then they must take a PCR test every week.

Though students are not required to be vaccinated for the time being, authorities have advised parents to get their children vaccinated to help control the spread of the virus.

The Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) highlighted its back-to-school guidelines in a circular issued to the emirate's private schools.