PROGRESSIVE TEMPORARY LOCKDOWN OF UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA

MONDAY, 16 MARCH 2020

PROGRESSIVE TEMPORARY LOCKDOWN OF UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA (17 MARCH 2020 - 5 APRIL 2020)

In view of the outbreak of Covid-19 which is now a major concern of the whole world as well as the country, the USM authorities have taken the initiative to execute a temporary lockdown of ALL CAMPUSES for 3 weeks in stages, beginning Tuesday, 17 March 2020 - Sunday, 5 April 2020.

1. STAFF TO WORK FROM HOME

All staff at all Schools and Academic/Research Centres will be required to work from homebeginning from 17/3/2020 - 22/3/2020 (First Phase). This would involve all PTJs except those PTJs which are central agencies, providing major services to the university. Nevertheless, in order to ensure that communication channels remain open with every PTJ, Department Heads are requested to appoint a minimum of two (2) administrative staff to be present at the office throughout the official working hours until the end of the lockdown period. The working hours for all staff who are working from home would be from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm and the staff needs to be ready and available whenever contacted by the Supervisor/Dean/Head of Department during the period. Further information on the guidelines for the implementation of ‘Work From Home’ would be released by the Registrar Department.

2. MID-SEMESTER BREAK TO BE SHIFTED EARLIER

The University authorities have decided to shift the mid-semester break to an earlier date (from originally 6/4/2020 - 12/4/2020) to 30/3/2020 - 5/4/2020. Students are not barred from going home during the mid-semester break. However, students are HIGHLY ADVISED to remain on campus throughout the duration of the break. This is meant to avoid further risk of the outbreak.

3. LIMITED ACCESS INTO ALL USM CAMPUSES

Access into all USM campuses would be restricted. Visitors (non-USM entrants) entering through the gates would be required to undergo safety/health screening check at the checkpoint located nearest to the entrance. At the Main Campus, only TWO main gates would be opened (Sg. Dua gate and Stadium gate). The gate leading to RST will be opened as well. At the Engineering Campus, ONLY the main gate would be opened. Access to the Health Campus and IPPT will remain open as usual. A number of drop off and pick up points would be established for parents/visitors who would be picking up/dropping off students. Parents/visitors ARE NOT ALLOWED to be within the compounds of the students’ residence halls.

4. FOOD OUTLETS WILL ONLY SELL READILY-PACKED FOOD

All premises selling food items at all campuses are required to prepare readily-packed food only which could be taken home by customers from 17/3/2020 - 22/3/2020. All customers are PROHIBITED from dining/being present at the premises throughout this period.

5. FRIDAY PRAYERS / FARDHU PRAYERS AT MASJID AL-MALIK KHALID

Congregational Friday prayers for this week (20/3/2020) would not be performed at Masjid Al-Malik Khalid USM. Members of the congregation are requested to do their Zuhur prayers at their own homes. To perform the daily Fardhu prayers, at present, members of the congregation need to bring their own praying mats (‘sejadah’) and female prayer robes (‘telekung’). Those from outside of USM are highly discouraged from coming to the ‘masjid’ to perform their fardhu prayers throughout this period.

6. LIMITED TRANSACTIONS AT PUBLIC SERVICE PREMISES IN USM

The surrounding community intending to do transactions at public service premises such as banks, post office and others which are available on campus are NOT ALLOWED to do so. The public is encouraged to seek other alternatives outside the USM campus.

7. LIBRARY OPERATING HOURS

ALL library services will be available until 2.00pm, Tuesday, 17/3/2020. Following that, the library will be closed until further notice.

8. MUSEUM AND TUANKU FAUZIAH GALLERY (MGTF), CEMACS AND ARCHAEOLOGY GALLERY TO BE CLOSED

Museum and Gallery Tuanku Fauziah (MGTF), CEMACS and Archaeology Galleries will be closed to visitors/patrons beginning today, 16/3/2020 - 30/4/2020.

9. EXECUTION OF SELF-DECONTAMINATION PROCESS          

The University authorities will also execute a self-decontamination process for all campuses in a progressive manner, in order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all community members.

All campus community members are requested to be patient throughout this moment of distress and to maintain togetherness in facing this outbreak. All initiatives listed above are measures executed for precautionary and containment purposes for the next 3 weeks, to prevent the outbreak from spreading, as part of the university’s social responsibility (CSR), containment and social distancing exercise.

Any inquiry, please contact:

COVID-19 Hotline - 03-88810200

                                03-88810600

                                03-88810700

PROFESSOR DR. FAISAL RAFIQ MAHAMD ADIKAN

Vice-Chancellor, Universiti Sains Malaysia

16 March 2020