Unvaccinated private school workers in Sharjah must pay for PCR test every two weeks

Sharjah Education Authority issued directive as part of efforts to combat spread of Covid-19

A vaccine is administered at Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi. Bareen International Hospital

Employees at private schools in Sharjah who have not been vaccinated must undergo PCR testing every two weeks, education officials said.

The decision is part of efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Staff at private education institutions who have taken both doses of a vaccine are exempt from the rule.

Sharjah Education Authority said unvaccinated workers must pay for the tests themselves.

Employers, however, will cover the costs for employees who provide a medical report that exempts them from taking the vaccine due to a health condition or illness, the authority said.

"Based on the developments related to Covid-19, and with the aim to ensure the safety of all workers and students in private educational institutions in the emirate, all workers in educational institutions must conduct the nasal swab (PCR examination) for workers in educational institutions every 14 days at their own expense, with the exception of workers who have obtained the Covid-19 vaccine [two doses]," the authority said in the circular.

Educational establishments must provide the authority with information about the number of employees who have taken the vaccine.

Teams will also be sent out to verify the negative PCR tests submitted by staffers and the vaccination certificates.

The UAE this week approved the use of the coronavirus vaccine for teenagers aged 16 and above.

Two vaccinations are available in the UAE.

The Sinopharm vaccine has been approved for nationwide use, including in Sharjah.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is being administered in Dubai.

Free vaccination campaigns are underway for both vaccines.

The number of vaccine doses administered across the country is approaching two million.

UAE’s leaders have encouraged people to be immunised as soon as possible to control the outbreak and help rebuild the economy.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, is among the UAE leaders who have received the Sinopharm vaccine.