Back to campus in March

PETALING JAYA: Students of higher learning institutions such as public universities, polytechnics, community colleges and private education institutes will be allowed to return to their campuses in phases, starting March 1.

Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (pic) said the decision was made in the Covid-19 Quartet Ministers’ Meeting, which was held on Tuesday following a proposal from the Higher Education Ministry.

“After taking into consideration the views and recommendations of the Health Ministry (MOH), I am pleased to announce that the government has agreed to allow the entry of students of tertiary education institutions under the Higher Education Ministry in phases.”

However, Hishammuddin said that to keep everyone safe, the higher education and health ministries had outlined several standard operating procedures (SOPs) the institutes would have to follow.

These include institutions being allowed to accept students at between 70% and 100% capacity, and that only students and staff members who have been fully vaccinated or partially vaccinated were allowed to be on campus physically.

“Students and staff members who have not been fully vaccinated will have to undergo RT-PCR tests and the results must be negative three days prior to entering the campus,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Those not fully vaccinated will be required to take weekly Covid-19 tests using Antigen test kits.

As for existing and new international students, only those who have been fully vaccinated will be permitted entry into Malaysia. They will, however, be subjected to a seven-day quarantine, while the quarantine period for those who have received their booster shots is five days.

Institutes are required to have enough capacity to accommodate attendees of physical lessons, Hishammuddin said, adding that hybrid and online classes would also be allowed.

“Sports and leisure activities must comply with the SOPs laid down by the MOH. Students returning to campuses must also continue to comply with the general SOPs such as wearing of face masks, and observing physical distancing and personal hygiene,” he said.

Parents, guardians and students may raise queries with the Higher Education Ministry’s Covid-19 helpline at 03-8870 6777/6949/ 6623/6628 or contact the coordinators of their respective institutes.

On another matter, he said the chingay street parade celebrated by the Hainan, Hakka, Hokkien, Teochew and Tiong Hua clans in Johor between Feb 19 and Feb 22, and the Hindu Maasi Magam festival from Feb 16 and 19, would be allowed with specific SOPs in place.

He said prayers at the Johor Ancient Temple and Xing Gong for chingay would be permitted in line with the SOPs for non-Muslim houses of worship under Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan.

Devotees would not be allowed to participate in the procession, which would be restricted to members of the temple management.

The names of the temple management members and procession routes would have to be submitted and approved by the police. Only 11 decorated trucks with not more than 20 temple members would be allowed in the parade.

As for Maasi Magam, only those who have been fully vaccinated would be allowed to participate with SOPs such as wearing of face masks and physical distancing of at least one metre to be observed.

Chariot procession is allowed but without any stops and is only limited to temple management members numbering not more than 50.

Similarly, the names of the temple management members and procession routes must be submitted and approved by the police.