Universiti Malaysia Sabah outlines precautionary steps on campus following coronavirus outbreak

KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has outlined several steps to prevent infection risks of the novel coronavirus at its campus, including placing medical staff near its main entry gate to screen visitors.

Vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Taufiq Yap Yun Hin said Hospital Universiti Malaysia Sabah (HUMS) has placed its personnel at the EcoCampus visitor information centre to scan visitors, especially foreign tourists.

"At the same time, UMS has also prepared a war room and the infectious disease preparedness committee will be conducting checks at all faculties and UMS departments to spread awareness of the matter.

"We have also held UMS novel coronavirus management committee and HUMS coordination meetings," he said in a statement issued by UMS Centre for Strategic Management and Corporate Communication.

Welcoming the Sabah government's move of suspending direct commercial flights from China into the state, Prof Taufiq said UMS was also delaying its new intake registration for international students, which was initially scheduled for this Saturday (Feb 8).

The intake for the foreign postgraduate programme, which also includes Chinese students, will be deferred.

"Existing foreign students who were supposed to return for their studies on Feb 2 will also have their session delayed.

"The university will ensure an alternative mechanism to allow them to continue their studies and not be left behind," he added.

However, a standard operating procedure to monitor the health of those who have already arrived in Sabah is being done including health screenings, said Prof Taufiq.

"A 14-day isolation period using Home Assessment Tool (HAT) will be conducted to ensure only foreign students who are healthy will be able to continue their studies in the campus," he added.

He reminded UMS staff and students who faced related symptoms like fever and cough to get them checked at the campus' treatment centre.