See how a Dubai school is preparing to reopen
Gulf News is given an exclusive tour of GEMS Founders School in Al Barsha
Private schools in Dubai have to follow nearly 120 safety protocols when they reopen. So how are they prepqaring? Guided by Paul Slater, vice-president — operations, health, safety and environment, GEMS Education, Gulf News was given access to the GEMS Founders School in Al Barsha to see how it works.
Thermal scans
The school has installed thermal imaging cameras, which can scan 30 people per second at the entrance, ensuring a flow is maintained for more than 4,200 students. There is also a scanning station to screen students coming in by bus. If someone has a temperature above 37.8C, they go to the school clinic.
Two doctors, four nurses
The school clinic has two doctors and four nurses. Patients will initially come to the triage area/temperature bay where a nurse will check do an assessment and decide treatment accordingly.
Isolation room
If a patient is deemed infectious, the nurse will immediately isolate the patient and accompany them to the fullyequipped isolation room.
Classroom setup
Students will sit at least 1.5 metres apart, meaning there will be maximum of 15 students in a class compared to 30 normally. Masks will worn by students, teachers and other staff. There will probably not be the see-through screens on desks.
Social distancing norms
Floor markings, non-touch digital sanitiser dispensers and posters prompting their use are in place. Some corridors and staircases will be one-way.
In sports halls, room capacity ratios will de enforced based on the sport. Colourcoded floor markings, hand sanitisers and door-stops are already in place.