Administrative circular to the Minister of Labor and Social Development: Resumption of care activities in nurseries on Sunday, according to the precautionary measures taken to limit the spread of the

23-10-2020

The Ministry of Labour and Social Development has issued an administrative circular authorising the resumption of care activities in nurseries licensed by the Ministry from Sunday, 25 October 2020, for parents who choose to send their children. The decision follows periodic reviews of epidemiological data and adheres to the latest recommendations of the National Medical Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID‑19). All nurseries must implement the prescribed preventive and precautionary measures designed to curb the spread of the virus. His Excellency Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, underscored the responsibility of nursery owners, board members, teachers, assistants and parents to comply fully with Ministry of Health directives that safeguard public health. Operators are required to ensure that comprehensive protective measures are in place for every child in their care. The circular specifies that nursery premises must be sterilised daily. Any nursery with a capacity of 100 children or more must employ a qualified nurse, and all staff—particularly nannies—must wear face masks, although children are exempt from this requirement. Only one family member may enter the nursery foyer when dropping off or collecting a child, and a designated nanny must refer any child exhibiting COVID‑19 symptoms to a healthcare provider immediately. Parents must supply all food and drink for their children, prepared at home. Communal buffets and shared water stations are banned; nurseries may, however, provide sterilised water bottles if a child arrives without one. Parties, birthday celebrations and the distribution of food or sweets on the premises are prohibited. Nursery capacity has been adjusted to one nanny for every two children under 18 months, and one nanny plus one assistant for every eight children over 18 months. Physical activities are to be staggered throughout the day and conducted outdoors whenever practicable to maintain children’s fitness safely. If a child, staff member or any other person at the nursery displays COVID‑19 symptoms, they must be isolated immediately, the national hotline (444) must be contacted, and guardians informed. Individuals who test positive via PCR may not return until they can prove their release from precautionary quarantine. Nurseries are obliged to facilitate contact‑tracing by providing the National Medical Taskforce with accurate attendance and staff records. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development will conduct periodic random inspections of all nurseries through its inspectors to ensure compliance with all health requirements and standards stipulated in the standards, specifications and requirements system governing nurseries, their facilities and staffing. If nurseries fail to comply with any of these directives, appropriate legal action will ensue.