University Utara Malaysia (UUM) has closed its main campus in Sintok, Kedah, after a student who recently returned from Sabah tested positive for Covid-19. The campus is reported to be closed for a period of 4 days, until 8th October, in order to curb the spread of the deadly virus.
The university pointed out in a statement last night that all classes will be conducted online and all staff members will also be working from home, except for the employees providing basic services.
UUM Vice Chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Bashawir Abdul Ghani, stated that the university was taking the necessary precautions to control the spread of the virus by immediately suspending all activities and banning individuals from entering and leaving the campus premises.
Students will only be allowed to enter the campus premises if they obtained permission from the university administration first, while students who were already inside the campus cannot leave. According to the statement, any new students who want to register for their courses must do so online.
The Vice Chancellor also pointed out that the infected student was a member of the Reserve Officer Training Unit (PALAPES), which was not a large group. “This group is not big, it only involves those involved in PALAPES training,” explains Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad. He continued to assure the public that the of Ministry of Health (MOH) has already been informed about this incident, in order to determine the next steps:
“We fully cooperate and will follow all SOPs (standard operating procedures) recommended by the MOH, NADMA (National Disaster Management Agency), including the mandatory quarantine measures necessary for all individuals involved.”
According to the written announcement issued by UUM, the university will disinfect all areas involved and also urged its students to abide by the SOPs set by both the university and the government.
Sources: China Press, Berita Harian.
