Covid-19: UniSZA temporarily closed after personnel tests positive

KUALA NERUS: Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) here has been closed temporarily for sanitisation exercise after one of its personnel tested positive for Covid-19.

UniSZA Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Hassan Basri Awang Mat Dahan said the closure involved its Gong Badak, Medical and Besut campuses for three days from Monday.

“During the closure period, teaching and learning process will run as usual via online platform to ensure the safety of students and personnel.

“As a control measure, UniSZA had decided that all personnel would work from home between Oct 5 and 7 to enable comprehensive disinfection activities (to be carried out),” he said in a statement today.

Hassan said the directive covered all administrative operations except personnel in essential services such as security, health, finance, student affairs and residential colleges, subject to the approval of the Vice Chancellor.

Hassan said the university staff who tested positive has a history of traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu in a flight which also flew an individual returning from Sabah. The individual was later confirmed positive for Covid-19.

Following the case, a total of 14 UniSZA personnel were traced as close contacts of the patient and had since been placed under supervision and quarantine by orders from the Health Ministry.

Other UniSZA personnel who had contact with the quarantined staff were also instructed to undergo self-quarantine for two weeks from Oct 2.

“Since the Movement Control Order was implemented last March, UniSZA took steps to postpone all face-to-face programmes until the situation returns to normal.

“UniSZA has also mobilised a trained counseling team and an active welfare unit to assist affected staff and families,” he said.

Hassan said at present, there were 584 students on campus and he assured that all their needs and welfare would be taken care of.

Source: NST