UniSZA Temporarily Closes Campuses After Staff Tests Positive For COVID-19
The staff member recently travelled on a flight with a returnee from Sabah who also later tested positive for COVID-19.
By May Vin Ang — 05 Oct 2020, 11:13 AM
Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) in Terengganu has confirmed that one of its staff recently tested positive for COVID-19
According to Bernama, UniSZA vice chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Hassan Basri Awang Mat Dahan said the staff member has a history of travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu and was on the same flight with a returnee from Sabah who was later diagnosed with COVID-19.
Following his positive test result, 14 of the patient's close contacts were traced and placed under surveillance and quarantine as ordered by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Other UniSZA staff members who were in contact with their COVID-19 positive colleague were also instructed to undergo self-quarantine for two weeks.
As a precaution, the public university announced that it will be closing temporarily for three days, beginning today, 5 October, to 7 October
The vice chancellor said the closure involved all of its three campuses, namely the Gong Badak campus (Kuala Nerus), the Medicine campus (Kuala Terengganu), and the Besut campus (Besut).
"As a control measure, UniSZA has decided that all personnel would work from home between 5 October and 7 October to enable comprehensive disinfection activities to be carried out," Hassan Basri said in a statement on Sunday, 4 October.
The work from home directive covers all administrative operations except employees in essential services such as security, health, finance, student affairs, and residential colleges, subject to the approval of the vice chancellor.
Hassan Basri said all face-to-face teaching programmes are also being postponed until the situation is in better control
"During the closure, the teaching and learning process will be carried out online to ensure the safety of students and employees," he said.
"UniSZA has also mobilised a trained counselling team and an active welfare unit to assist affected staff and families," he added.
He gave assurance that all 584 students currently on campus will have their needs and welfare taken care of.
