COVID-19 updates
Roadmap to campus reopening
The Malaysian Government has announced that the Movement Control Order (MCO) will be implemented in some districts in Selangor and Johor from 6 May 2021 onwards.
We are reviewing the COVID-19 situation on an ongoing basis, and carefully assessing the directions and guidelines provided to us by the government. We will keep you informed as new arrangements are put in place.
Here’s what it means for you
Staff
- You are still strongly encouraged to work from home and only come to the campus if required.
- No more than 40% of staff and research students (any mix of academic staff, professional staff and PhD students and Honours students) are permitted on campus per day.
- Heads of Schools and Units have been asked to manage the access within their respective areas by maintaining the necessary rosters and issuing campus access letters to staff approved for campus access.
Students
In line with the recent government announcement, the following will be implemented at our campuses effective 6 May until further notice:
- If you have previously received approval to access the campus for a conducive learning environment, you are no longer allowed to access the campus and your campus access letter is void. We will provide an update on this in due course.
- If you are accessing the campus to attend essential on-campus teaching and learning activities (as approved by your School), you must leave the campus as soon as your scheduled activities are over.
We have set up an interactive virtual student hub that is dedicated to providing you with the right contacts and support from 9 am - 5 pm on weekdays (except public holidays). For emergency support after hours, please call +6019 272 5859.
Research Students
- If you are permitted to undertake essential research activities on campus, please carefully consider the need to work on campus and you must leave the campus as soon as you have completed your research activities.
- Visit research general principles for relevant information.
Roadmap to reopening
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Last updated 5 May 2021
In line with the Malaysian government announcement, the following will be implemented at the Main Campus effective 6 May until further notice.
- Essential on-campus teaching and learning activities, previously approved by the Vice President (Education) can proceed for now. However, we may need to change our position very quickly if and when the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) provides further advice on this matter.
- Reduced access for staff and research students (who require access to labs and specialised equipment)
- The numbers of staff and research students attending campus under (1) and (2) must not exceed 40% of School staff/research students.
- Students will no longer be able to access the campus for a conducive learning environment.
- Many of the campus facilities including the Library and informal learning spaces will be closed
- The operating hours for our campuses will be from 7:30 am - 6 pm on weekdays.
Anyone entering the campus must comply with the campus’ standard operating procedures including:
- Scanning the MySejahtera QR code upon entry to the campus and any offices/campus facilities
- Checking your temperature upon entry
- Maintaining a minimum of 1-metre physical distance at all times
- Wearing a face mask at all times while on campus
- Observing personal hygiene
- Use Zoom or online meeting platforms for meetings, discussions and group work
Any breach of the campus’ standard operating procedures will be treated as misconduct. For more information, click on our COVID Safe Plan.
Ensuring a safe campus community is our collective responsibility.
COVID Safe Plan
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General information
The health and safety of the Monash community is the highest priority. Monash is committed to protecting the Monash community from the transmission of COVID-19 and has developed an eight-pillars risk control strategy, in line with the government’s health directions and advice. The eight strategies work together to protect the staff, students and visitors to the University and are applied to the diverse range of spaces and activities the University undertakes. The plan is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the changing stages of the pandemic and health directions.
Monash COVID Safe Strategies
- Come to campus well
- Physical distancing
- Face mask
- Personal hygiene
- Increased cleaning
- Well-ventilated spaces
- Positive case management
- Work arrangement
Come to campus well
- Consistent with the government’s health messaging Monash has communicated to all staff and students to only attend campus if they are well.
- Monash continues to reinforce this message by communicating to all staff and students, in order to protect the Monash community, it will be essential that all staff and students who are feeling unwell, do not come to campus.
- Schools and Units to reinforce this message in all correspondence with staff and students.
- Posters to reinforce this message have been placed on the main entrance and a similar message has been placed on the LCD screens around the campus.
- You can find a series of COVID-19 signage templates here.
Physical distancing
- All Monash work areas and spaces have been assessed and maximum occupancy numbers determined to meet the relevant activity density quotients and the 1m physical distancing requirements.
- Maximum occupancy posters have been placed on entry doors to spaces and rooms and timetabling has been adjusted to schedule only a “COVID Safe” number of students into a learning space.
- The furniture in the learning spaces and communal areas has been adjusted and signage used to promote the 1m physical distancing requirements.
- Seat unavailable signage has been used in the learning spaces and communal areas to promote the 1m physical distancing requirements.
- All on-campus general public areas have been assessed to determine maximum occupancies limits. Signage of the areas and regular monitoring is in place to ensure the number of people in an area does not exceed its maximum occupancy.
- Food retail outlets on campus have all implemented the relevant density and maximum occupancy requirements for dining, everyone is encouraged to take away instead of dining in.
- Informal social spaces have been modified to meet the 1m physical distancing requirements with tables and chairs reconfigured and excess furniture removed.
- Floor markings have been installed in all areas where staff and students may congregate including queues for service desks, retail outlets, lifts and pantries.
- Contact-free services have been implemented as far as practicable, with physical distancing, hand hygiene and face masks used as control to reduce COVID-19 transmission.
- Monash staff and students are required to complete a return to campus OHS induction which includes instruction on the physical distancing requirements on campus.
Face coverings
- The requirement of wearing a face mask is mandatory on Monash campuses and buildings, and has been communicated and implemented in all areas of the University.
- Staff and students are expected to attend campus with their own appropriate face mask which must cover the nose and mouth.
- The campus community is monitoring the compliance with the mandatory face mask requirement. Campus security provide anyone a mask if they enter the campus without their own mask.
- Screens and barriers have been installed where a risk assessment has determined it provides an additional protective barrier at the high volume, public service desk points.
Personal hygiene
- Monash University has deployed hand sanitiser stations across all its campuses and buildings to ensure all staff and students have multiple opportunities to hand sanitise when entering a building or workspace and during their activities on campus. This includes stations at the entrance to buildings, entry and exits of lifts, main stair landings and in office, laboratory and teaching spaces.
- Good hygiene posters and online OHS inductions have been used to reinforce the key health messages to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
- The University cleaning team is ensuring adequate soap and tissue paper are available in all washrooms.
- Posters have been displayed in all washrooms, visible areas and above hand sanitiser stations showing the correct method of washing or sanitising hands.
Increased cleaning
- Monash has developed a new campus cleaning regime increasing the cleaning on all campuses and sites to incorporate the extensive cleaning guidelines.
- Monash has secured sufficient supply of all cleaning products and has increased the products held on site to manage peak demands.
- Routine inspections are undertaken to ensure the quality of the cleaning is maintained.
- All areas of the University have undertaken risk assessments of their activities and this assessment includes the identification of items that are shared between people. Where possible, these items have been replaced with alternatives methods or processes.
Well ventilated spaces
- The University’s ACMV systems have been adjusted to maximise the fresh air intake and increase the number of air changes in buildings. The large centralised ACMV systems have been programmed to provide daily full fresh air purges of buildings.
- The filter systems are regularly maintained and changed to ensure effective filtration.
- A range of outdoor spaces has been used as a waiting area to control indoor social crowding.
Positive case management
A COVID-19 operational team has been established and meets regularly to assess and manage the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the University’s business.
A detailed management plan has been developed for a positive or suspected case of COVID-19. The plan includes:
- Reporting procedures for staff and student
- Establishment of a case management team
- Care of the affected staff member or student
- Engagement with the Ministry of Health of Malaysia (MoH)
- Management of internal communications, cleaning and building access
- Reporting and monitoring
Recording attendance - Monash has developed a range of strategies to record the attendance of staff, students, contractors and other visitors to our campuses and sites. This includes QR code scanning, door swipe access recording, visitor logs and contractor sign in/out logs. This information will be utilised to assist MoH and Monash to identify close contacts.
Workplace reporting - Anyone who suspects they may be infected with Covid-19 should seek medical advice immediately and notify Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (OHSE) by calling +603 5514 6040 / 46041 / 46045 / 46047 from 8am - 6pm and email to C19ohse@monash.edu beyond these hours.
Cleaning - Monash has engaged specialised cleaning companies to undertake cleaning in response to a result of a positive COVID case. The companies have trained personnel and have inspected the key areas of the University to understand the size and complexity of some of our buildings or spaces in preparation for deep cleaning should it be required.
Refer to the poster below for your role in the COVID-19 chain.
Work arrangements
- Monash has implemented a “Work From Home” strategy consistent with government guidelines and has established a range of HR procedures and resources to support staff working from home.
- Monash has developed a transitioned return to work approach for teams as part of its reactivation approach.
- Where applicable work schedules have been developed and implemented to reduce the interaction of staff between shifts and/or teams to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
- For work areas with cross-campus responsibilities, alternative arrangement has been made to minimise the movement of staff between campuses and sites.
- Cross-team communication has moved to online formats.
Staff and student role in COVID-19 chain
Campus Emergency Procedures
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COVID-19 Vaccination
The Malaysian government will be providing free vaccination for all citizens and non-citizens in the country under the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme. The COVID-19 vaccination is voluntary. We may register for COVID-19 vaccination via the options outlined in the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination website.
- You will be given time off for vaccination. This will be administered as unrecorded leave. Please discuss this time off with your respective supervisors.
- Please continue to manage your health and safety, and comply with the SOPs prescribed by the Ministry of Health.
Expatriate Staff
- Expatriates residing in Malaysia are eligible to be vaccinated for free under Phase 3 of Malaysia's National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme, scheduled from May 2021 to February 2022.
- You may register via the options outlined in the Government's Covid-19 Vaccination website.
- New expatriates due to commence employment with MUM may have concerns with the timing of relocation, given vaccination plans. Vaccination is a personal choice that expatriates will have to carefully consider and decide on the best time to travel to commence work, in consultation with your supervisor.
- Human Resources will discuss travel options with you and provide support.
Activities
All Monash endorsed campus activities should be conducted online. You are discouraged to conduct activities that require face-to-face or group interactions until further notice.
Research
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General principles and relevant information
- Essential research activities requiring specialised on-campus equipment are permitted at this time.
- Students: Your School would have planned and informed you of your research schedules. Please ensure you abide by these schedules.
- Staff: Activities in research laboratories are primarily for important research with critical need. Please check with your Head of School if you are authorised to access the research laboratories.
- Detailed laboratory requirements are contained in the Research Laboratories procedure. Please follow the entry and exit protocols for laboratories.
- There will be a notice outside each laboratory outlining the number of people permitted in the laboratory at any one time.
- Postgraduate Centres is closed until further notice.
- Disposal of waste shall follow established waste management protocols.
- Any maintenance, service or repair activities must comply with additional OHS procedures for COVID-19 prevention.
- Any delivery of material must comply with the Delivery Procedures and at the designated delivery locations.
Laboratory maintenance and deliveries
Fieldwork, conference and seminar
- You can apply for research fieldwork here.
- You must apply two weeks before the start of the proposed fieldwork date.
- You must obtain all ethics approval before the lodging of an application (if relevant).
- The application must be lodged by the Principal Investigator (PI). However, all research team members must consult their respective HOS and obtain approval before submission of application by PI.
- Once approved, staff will proceed with the normal Travel and Expense (T&E) process to facilitate the travel plans.
- All research team members must read, understand and comply with the Fieldwork Procedure.
The guidelines for research fieldwork application
Teaching and Learning
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General principles
Statement on Semester 2
Monash University Malaysia is committed to ensuring the continuity of education for all students during the COVID-19 crisis.
We are now involved in detailed planning for Semester 2 2021. Our aim is to resume on-campus teaching and learning to the extent that it is permitted by the Malaysian government and consistent with the health and safety of our staff and students. We expect that some Semester 2 units will continue to be delivered online as part of our ongoing education reform, however our plan is that most units will have on-campus and blended teaching and learning.
Students who are in Malaysia for Semester 2 (domestic and international) will be expected to attend scheduled on-campus activities unless they are approved by their School (on the basis of serious health considerations or travel restrictions) to continue studying online.
As the Malaysian Government regulations for managing COVID-19 can change rapidly, our plans may also change. Consistent with our approach throughout 2020, whatever the circumstances we will ensure our students are able to continue or begin, their studies in world-class learning and teaching environment - be this online, on-campus or blended delivery.
Teaching
- We will be offering some on-campus learning and teaching activities classes for some units in Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy and Science, where access to laboratories, equipment or clinical training is a high priority.
- All of these units will continue to provide fully online alternatives if you are not able to come to campus when these on-campus activities commence.
Undergraduate laboratory procedure
Working Principles
- Laboratories are locations where additional hygiene requirements are already in place, especially laboratories where scheduled chemicals are used.
- Physical distancing and room capacity limits must be observed at all times. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Accessing the Laboratory
- Check with your School if there are additional procedures to prevent overcrowding.
- On arriving at the laboratory, wear your laboratory coat, wash your hands and put on your laboratory gloves.
- Leave the laboratory in small groups to prevent congestion at the lift lobbies, use the stairs if possible.
Personal Safety and Hygiene
- Wear a face mask at all times.
- No sharing of laboratory coats.
- Wash your hands using soap before and after working in the laboratory. For safety reasons, do not sanitise your hands before wearing laboratory gloves.
Use of Equipment (especially during group work)
- No crowding around shared equipment.
- If there is a need for you to contribute or observe, the standing locations and sequence of movement will be defined and communicated.
For more information, refer to the Undergraduate Laboratory Procedure.
Facilities and Services
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General information
Many of the campus facilities including the Library and informal learning spaces will be closed. Please adhere to physical distancing requirements at all times as indicated by physical distancing labels. If you want to reach out to schools or student services team, we have set up an interactive virtual student hub that is dedicated to providing you with the right contacts and support.
Cafeteria and other food vendors
Additional health and safety measures will be enforced in the cafeteria, including the kitchen operations.
- The cafeteria is open, but for take-away only.
- The cafeteria staff must serve all food. Customers are not allowed to touch the food serving utensils.
- You are strongly encouraged to use the available electronic payment options.
Only these vendors will be operating:
| Location | Operation | Operating Hour |
|---|---|---|
| B6 Cafeteria | Rasai Machan | 8 am - 4 pm |
| B6 Cafeteria | UniQ Kitchen | 8 am - 4 pm |
| The Lepak Place | Vitality Boost | 10 am - 5 pm |
| The Lepak Place | Offside Burger and Cheese | 11 am - 6 pm |
| Popup Kiosk | The Mad Alchemy | 8:30 am - 5 pm |
Health and Wellness Centre
The Campus's Health and Wellness Centre is open from Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 5.30 pm to the students and staff.
Informal learning spaces
The Hive located in the Main Campus is closed until further notice.
Library
- The library is closed until further notice.
- You can borrow books online via the library catalogue.
- All other services and programs, including student consultations, will be provided online.
Mailroom and pop box
- Only essential work-related deliveries are permitted.
- Do not use the campus' Mail Room and PopBox services for your personal items.
- All mails and parcels will be set aside for 48 hours before distribution. Contact the Mailroom if you have any urgent delivery.
Maybank kiosk and ATM
- The Maybank counter will remain closed until further notice.
- The Maybank ATMs will be operational.
- Only one person is allowed in the kiosk at any one time. Those waiting must stand at the designated locations outside the glass door, which will be kept open during working hours.
- Sanitisers will be placed at the entrance and users are encouraged to use it before and after using the ATM.
Meeting rooms
- You are encouraged to conduct meetings online. If you really need to use the meeting room, please observe the protocols for organising meetings.
- All meeting rooms must be booked using the Meeting Room Booking Form.
Surau
The following suraus will be open with limited capacity:
- Room 6311 - max 4 people (Male prayer room)
- Room 6312 - max 4 people (Female prayer room)
- Room 5468 - max 2 people (Male prayer room)
- Room 5469 - max 2 people (Female prayer room)
- Room 4447 - max 1 person (Male prayer room)
- Room 4446 - max 1 person (Female prayer room)
You must observe the required surau protocols and procedures.
The surau is to be used for prayer only. Other gatherings and activities in the surau are not permitted.
For COVID-19 emergencies, contact OHSE at +603 5514 6040 / 46041 / 46045 / 46047 from 8am - 6pm and email to C19ohse@monash.edu beyond these hours.
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