Combating coronavirus: Dubai schools now open for campus tours

Dubai - Campus tours had been suspended in March when schools closed temporarily and learning went online.

Schools in Dubai may now take prospective students and their parents on a tour of their campuses. According to an update posted on the website of the emirate's education regulator Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), schools can do this "provided physical distancing and other health and safety guidelines applicable to all school visitors are followed".
Campus tours had been suspended in March when schools closed temporarily and learning went online as a precautionary measure against the spread of Covid-19.
School heads confirmed that parents may now book appointments for the tour.
Sangita Chima, principal of Amity School Dubai, said: "We are maintaining social distancing during tours by ensuring that not more than one appointment is conducted at a time, with a limit on the number of family members per school tour."
Temperature checks, sanitisation, social distancing and wearing of masks will continue at schools.
Deepika Thapar Singh, CEO-principal of Credence High School in Al Khail Dubai, said: "Health and safety has always been given utmost importance at Credence and we will ensure that all safety procedures are followed when prospective parents and students visit the school."
While online tours are a good alternative, school heads said it is sometimes hard to "showcase everything virtually".
Bill Delbrugge, director of Dunecrest American School Dubai, said: "We are delighted to be able to welcome families on our campus again, to get a real feel for the learning environment at Dunecrest.
Punit MK Vasu, CEO, The Indian High Group of Schools, said: "We will strictly avoid group tours and will limit tours to no more than 4 people from the same family."
nandini@khaleejtimes.com