UAE

Iran War Day 7: What UAE Residents Need to Know

The UAE air defences intercepted missiles and drones, with authorities fully prepared to counter threats and safeguard national security. Airports and airlines have resumed limited flights, while early spring breaks have been announced for schools and universities, and some exams cancelled. Updates will follow as the situation unfolds.

UAE ready to defend its sovereignty

The UAE is committed to peace and regional stability but is fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and protect everyone living on its soil, Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, has said.

Gargash said the country had faced more than 1,000 attacks in the span of a few days, describing the scale of the assaults as unprecedented even by military standards. Despite the developments, he said the attacks would not weaken the country’s resolve.

Air defence operations

The UAE Ministry of Defence reported intercepting six ballistic missiles and 125 drones, with minor debris causing injuries in Abu Dhabi. Since the start of Iranian aggression, 196 missiles and 1,072 drones have been detected, of which 181 missiles and 1,001 drones were intercepted. Eight cruise missiles were also destroyed.

Casualties include three deaths (Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi nationals) and 94 minor injuries among multiple nationalities. Authorities confirmed full readiness to counter threats and safeguard national security.

UAE flight status March 6

UAE airports and airlines are gradually resuming operations following recent regional disruptions. While limited flights have restarted across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, passengers are advised to travel only with confirmed bookings.

Authorities continue to prioritise safety and closely monitor operations as schedules remain subject to change.

Prices spike across supermarkets

Some UAE residents say their grocery bills have risen in recent days, particularly for fruits and vegetables, with shoppers reporting noticeable price increases at supermarkets across the country.

Several shoppers told Gulf News they had seen prices climb within the past two days, with certain produce items nearly doubling compared with last week.

Alerts and public safety

In light of the ongoing war, the authority issued clear guidelines on what to do in case of an alert. It explained that if a warning is issued in your area, you must head to a safe place and take shelter until an ‘all clear’ alert is issued for the area. It added: “Do not exit to film or record.”

Education updates

Early spring breaks for schools and universities; some exams cancelled
Sharjah schools postponed start of academic year; distance learning continues for Indian and other schools in Dubai
CBSE exams cancelled or postponed in affected countries

Public services and infrastructure

Healthcare: Operations running normally; hospitals and emergency services fully functional

Utilities: Etihad Water and Electricity confirm uninterrupted services across Abu Dhabi and Northern Emirates

Banks fully operational

Authorities in the UAE have moved to reassure the public that the country’s financial system remains strong and fully operational despite rising geopolitical tensions across the region.

The Central Bank of the UAE said banks, financial institutions and insurance companies across the country continue to operate normally and provide services without disruption nationwide.

Emirates NBD is easing banking for its customers by waiving fees on select services until March 31, 2026. The move comes in response to recent regional developments, offering greater flexibility and convenience.

Tourism sector stays open

Tourism across the UAE is continuing as normal despite regional developments. Hotels, resorts, attractions, and shopping centres remain open, operating fully in line with safety and quality standards. Authorities monitor operations and occupancy daily to ensure services run smoothly. Residents and visitors are advised to check directly with hotels or service providers for the latest updates on bookings and programmes.

Leisure and entertainment closures

Several major attractions in Dubai have extended temporary closures as a precautionary safety measure amid ongoing regional tensions linked to the US-Israel-Iran conflict.

Authorities have stressed that daily life in the UAE continues as normal, but some venues have paused operations in line with official guidance.

Responsibility begins with compliance

Stay safe and informed: Photographing or sharing images of security or critical sites, or reposting unreliable information, may lead to legal action and compromise national security.

Following official guidance and complying with regulations helps protect the community and maintain stability.

Safety advisory: shrapnel and suspicious objects

Stay away from shrapnel or suspicious objects; do not approach or photograph them.
Let authorities handle suspicious items safely.
This follows a recent attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles, which were intercepted by UAE air defence systems.

Emergency guidance if debris is spotted

Move away from the area and keep a safe distance.
Do not approach fragments – they may contain explosives or hazardous materials.
Avoid taking or posting photos on social media.
Do not gather at the incident site; allow authorities to access the location.
Rely only on official sources and avoid circulating unverified information.
Check on family members and stay calm.
Report incidents to the emergency number: 999.

Despite regional tensions, the UAE continues to operate efficiently, with air defences active, public services running normally, limited flights resuming, and residents advised to follow official guidance

Education

Students Return to In-Person Classes with Safety Measures

More than a million students have been allowed to return to all educational institutions in the UAE from today after weeks of distance learning due to geopolitical tensions that ensued the US-Israel-Iran war. Most of the school students are returning to campuses after a pause of around 50 days since March 2. The yellow buses ferrying the students have hit the roads again after a brief uncertainty over their operations over the past few days. Meanwhile, several students across nurseries, schools and universities are still continuing to follow remote learning till there is a permanent solution to the war. Gulf News reporters and photographers are out on the field to provide you with all the updates live.

10:37 AM, 20 April 2026

Joy returns to classrooms as students and teachers reunite

“You can really see the joy on the children’s faces, how happy and excited they are to be back in the classroom with their friends and teachers. It’s clearly visible in the way they’re laughing and interacting again,” said Andrew Hyland, Media Studies teacher at GEMS Metropole School.

“It’s the same for us as teachers too. We’re happier having the students back, and it feels good to return to our routines and the rhythm of school life.

At GEMS Metropole School, a parent survey conducted ahead of reopening showed that around 80 per cent of families were eager for students to return to campus.

According to Nav Iqbal – Principal, CEO, Brand Ambassador at Gems Metropole School, early indications suggest attendance may be higher than initially expected, with most students back in school.

“It’s a little too early to give final numbers, as we only confirm attendance at the end of the school day,” the principal said.

“We had anticipated around 80 per cent on campus and 20 per cent on distance learning, but it feels higher than that. We will publish the official figures later today on our social media channels, but it was great to see more students back across the school than before.

Parents who are unable to attend, whether due to travel or other reasons – have been informed that learning support will be provided. That group is generally less than 10 per cent.”

10:22 AM, 20 April 2026

‘Excited to bring the kids back,’ says parent

Reem Odeh, a mother of a FS2 student at GEMS Metropole School, said that while it was good to have the children at home, being back in school with friends and teachers is far more beneficial for them.

“We were very excited to bring the kids back. We prepared everything, and they woke up early this morning, really looking forward to returning to school.”

10:15 AM, 20 April 2026

‘Overjoyed to have children back in school,’ says parent

Karen Fathallah, a parent of two children in FS1 and Year 2 at Gems Metropole School said she is overjoyed to have them back in school and to see teachers and staff again.

~ Zainab Husain reporting from GEMS Metropole School, Dubai

Karen Fathallah, a parent of two children in FS1 and Year 2 at Gems Metropole School said she is overjoyed to have them back in school and to see teachers and staff again.

10:13 AM, 20 April 2026

Excitement as students reunite with friends and teachers

“School online is definitely not the same. I’m excited to be back in a proper routine, to have structure again, and to see my friends and teachers in person,” Neeti, Grade 11 student and prefect and Gems Metropole School.

10:07 AM, 20 April 2026

Some schools extend distance learning for one week

“As per the direction from APEA, the school has been granted approval to continue with distance learning for one week. During this time, we will be conducting comprehensive training for teachers, leaders, administrative staff, as well as transport teams including bus drivers and conductors. This initiative is aimed at ensuring that all safety protocols and operational measures are thoroughly understood and implemented. We remain committed to prioritising the well-being and safety of our entire school community, and we look forward to being fully prepared to resume on-site classes from Monday, April 27,” Shiny Davison, Principal, Woodlem Park school, Ajman, told Gulf News.

10:05 AM, 20 April 2026

Teachers focus on reflection and readjustment

Erin Nelson, Deputy Headteacher of Primary at GEMS Metropole School, said the focus on the first day back is to recognise students’ progress during online learning, give them space to reflect on the past seven weeks, and support a gradual return to normal school routines.

09:57 AM, 20 April 2026

Hallways come alive as students head to classes

Students at GEMS Metropole School in Motor City are seen moving through the hallways between classes as the school day gets underway.

09:55 AM, 20 April 2026

Safe zones and tighter protocols as Dubai schools reopen

Schools across Dubai are a little different as campuses reopen with enhanced safety measures in place, including designated safe zones and updated emergency procedures in line with guidance from the KHDA.

At GEMS Metropole School, staff say preparations have focused on both classroom safety and wider campus operations from emergency readiness to traffic flow and student movement.

Overseeing these measures is Nizar Mahmoud Mourad, Manager of School Operations at the school.

“Student safety remains our top priority, and we are fully aligned with the instructions issued by the relevant authorities. We have also introduced additional internal procedures to strengthen preparedness across the campus.

“This includes designated safe zones and shelter areas, along with comprehensive training for staff so students know exactly what to do before, during and after any emergency.”

– Zainab Husain reporting from GEMS Metropole School, Dubai

Education

Dubai resumes school bus services

In line with ongoing assessments conducted by the National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, bus services for private educational institutions in Dubai will resume starting Monday, April 20, 2026, in accordance with the approved safety protocols.

This decision is an extension of the country’s continuous assessment approach during this period, ensuring continuity of education, student safety, and the efficiency of services provided.

The relevant authorities will continue to monitor and assess the situation regularly, taking the necessary measures in line with any developments while maintaining the highest levels of readiness and stability.

The safety and wellbeing of students, educators, and the wider community remain a top priority at all times.

We encourage you to stay updated via official sources and to adhere to all safety measures.

For more information, you can visit the Reopening Protocols for Private Education Institutions in Dubai poge on our website.

Education

Distance learning continues for some UAE schools Monday

As UAE schools prepare for the gradual return to in-person learning from Monday, April 20, some schools have informed parents they will not be reopening their campuses on that date — while certain schools have made physical attendance compulsory for students who travel by private transport.

Leams Education, which runs several schools across the UAE, has confirmed it will not resume on-campus learning on Monday. CEO and director Nabil Hasan Lahir told Gulf News the schools required additional time to complete final-stage staff training, safety drills, emergency preparedness protocols, and full compliance documentation before KHDA could grant formal approval to reopen.

“Distance learning will continue next week to ensure a safe, fully compliant, and well-coordinated reopening,” he said.

On the learning model going forward, Lahir said a carefully phased transition to hybrid learning would follow KHDA approval, with rotational attendance, reduced on-campus density, and clearly defined timetables. He added that the schools had robust contingency plans in place to switch back to full remote learning immediately if circumstances changed — including trained staff, established online platforms, and structured timetables to ensure continuity without disruption.

Dubai schools hold back

Many Dubai schools echoed the same position with some saying they will continue distance education for at least one week while some said they will operate remotely until further notice.

Dubai Scholars told parents in a circular it will not reopen physically on Monday and continue online learning until further notice, citing pending KHDA approval. “This approval process will take a few days as there are many requirements that need to be compliant,” the circular read.

At Dubai International Academy – Emirates Hills, principal Hitesh Bhagat struck a more reassuring tone in a personal letter to parents, saying the school hoped to reopen “at the earliest opportunity — likely Monday or Tuesday” — though this too remained subject to a successful on-site KHDA inspection.

“As parents, nothing matters more than the safety and wellbeing of our children, and I want to assure you that this remains at the centre of every decision we make,” Bhagat wrote. He confirmed he would write to parents on Sunday with a confirmed date.

Bhagat also addressed how classes would be structured, noting that KHDA guidelines do not permit a teacher to deliver lessons simultaneously to both in-person and online students. For primary school, students opting for distance learning would be placed in a dedicated online class, while senior school students would follow a full hybrid timetable with adjusted groupings where possible.

Surveying parents

Several other Dubai schools have similarly begun surveying parents on their preferred mode of learning as institutions plan hybrid arrangements ahead of the phased return.

JSS Private School in Dubai also told parents that online classes would continue until further notice, while it worked to fulfil all mandatory KHDA requirements.

In a circular signed by principal Chitra Sharma, the school said it was also gauging parent preferences asking families whether they would send their children to school in the absence of bus transport, should the school meet all minimum requirements for reopening.

No buses for now

All schools confirmed there would be no bus services available, in line with government directives.

The UAE Ministry of Education announced on Thursday that school bus operations would be postponed for all public and private nurseries, kindergartens, and schools across the country during the current phase, to allow time for operational readiness in coordination with transport authorities and municipalities. The measure is subject to weekly review.

Sharjah schools take a firmer line

In Sharjah, at least one school has taken a stricter approach. A parent confirmed to Gulf News they had received a circular stating that students who travel by private car would be required to attend school in person — with no option to opt for remote learning.

Students who normally use the school bus, however, would be given a choice between in-person and remote learning. The circular made clear that once a learning method was selected, it could not be changed. If in-person learning was chosen, the parent or guardian would be responsible for dropping off and picking up the student each day. The school said supervisors would contact families to confirm their preferred mode.

Ready, waiting for inspection

Meanwhile, Cognita UAE said it had completed all necessary preparations and was ready to welcome students back at its school. However, the group was still awaiting the completion of a regulatory inspection by KHDA before reopening its campuses.

Managing director Glen Radojkovich said the group intended to resume full in-person learning while also offering an online option for families needing additional flexibility. “We recognise that every family’s situation is different right now,” he said, adding that the return would be gradual and wellbeing-focused, in line with KHDA guidance.

On switching back to remote learning if circumstances change, Radojkovich said Cognita had a well-established online learning framework that could be activated smoothly if needed, combining live teaching, independent study, and regular teacher contact. On staffing for hybrid delivery, he said the group had planned carefully and would put the right structures in place, fully in line with Ministry of Education guidance, with a strong focus on pastoral care alongside academic continuity.