31 JANUARY 2020

The University has been kept up to date on the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection, based on reports from the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The University is aware of the concerns of the campus community as well as the potential and risk of transmission of the virus to our campus. Hence, The University has taken proactive steps to improve our readiness to curb the spread and address the potential dangers of the virus.

As we all know, apart from our existing international students, UKM welcomes new international students at the entry of Semester 2 Academic Session 2019-2020, who further their studies at UKM in various fields and levels. This may expose the campus community to the risk of spreading the infection should any of the students were infected before arriving in Malaysia.

To ensure campus safety, the relevant centers have taken proactive steps to improve readiness to curb the spread and address the potential dangers of the virus. The first step is to inform all international students that once they arrive in Malaysia, they will be screened by the MOH medical team at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Quarantine Center (KLIA) before being certified safe on campus.

Upon arrival on campus, all students will continue to report to the University Health Center (PKU) medical team at the Special Screening Counter at Ibu Zain Residential College (KIZ). The PKU will provide the Red Alert Card, Health Declaration Form, and Home Assessment Tool to all students involved.

Since infected individuals typically experience symptoms within two days after being infected for up to 14 days, the PKU will manage the screening, evaluation and monitoring process for these students from the day the student reports to the next 14 days following the procedure outlined by the Ministry of Health (MoH). The suspected student will be referred directly to the MoH’s supervised hospital.

Local students or staff with a history of a visit to China less than 14 days ago were also asked to report to the PKU counter at KIZ for the same process to be implemented.

UKM has also postponed any activities of staff and students to China to prevent the spread of 2019-nCoV infections.

Campus residents are also reminded to practice preventive measures such as the following:

1. Always practice high levels of personal hygiene such as washing your hands frequently with water and soap or hand sanitizer.
2. Always bring face mask and hand sanitizer for use when needed.
3. Avoid visiting public places and interacting with any person with symptoms.
4. Avoid visiting livestock farms, markets that sell live animals, breeding grounds or touching any kind of animals.
5. Avoid eating any raw or poorly cooked animal products.
6. Immediately seek medical attention at a PKU, health clinic or hospital if you have symptoms of respiratory tract infections such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
7. All need to be aware of the 2019-nCoV infection symptoms and take immediate action if you have those symptoms.
8. Campus residents are also warned not to spread fake news about the 2019-nCoV to prevent public panic.

The university has always complied with the guidelines set by the ministry and in close contact with MOH to prevent the spread of 2019-nCoV infections. The PKU provides hand sanitizers and face masks for the use at all service counters in UKM. The university will keep up to date with any updates made on any issues related to the infection to ensure the safety and well-being of the university.

 

Prepared by:

Center for Corporate Communications,

UKM.