THE government’s about-turn barring university students from leaving campus during the two-week Covid-19 movement-control order (MCO) has left some feeling worried about their well-being and finances.

On Wednesday, the first day of the MCO implementation, the Higher Education Ministry said students of both public and private institutions must remain on campus.

It was the third policy change since Tuesday, when the first set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the restriction order was issued by the National Security Council (NSC).

The first FAQ said students were required to return home, while another list issued the same day said they could choose whether to stay on campus or leave.

Afiqah Azhar, a Sabahan studying at a Selangor university, is unsure whether she will get a refund for her flight ticket, bought before the policy flip-flop.

“I’m worried about food and money. My flight ticket is already ‘burnt’. I don’t know if I can get a refund, so now, I’m faced with financial issues,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

The 21-year-old hotel management student said Putrajaya did not give careful thought about its decisions’ impact on students.

According to the ministry FAQ, universities are responsible for students’ basic needs, such as food, as well as security and welfare during the MCO enforcement period. Campuses must also maintain essential services, such as water, electricity, telecommunications, postal, transport, broadcasting, finance and healthcare.

However, Afiqah said her institution did not provide students with an evening meal yesterday.

Food at the campus canteen was available only till 3pm, she said.

“It’s all talk, but no action. We are livid,” she said, adding that students will have to fend for themselves for dinner unless the situation changes.

A student who wanted to be known as Zuhairi said auxiliary police at his university immediately locked the entrance to the campus following the policy announcement on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old engineering student said he and his peers were told to stay in their dorms, adding that they are not allowed to hold group activities.

Hakim Ahmad, another student barred from leaving campus grounds, expressed dissatisfaction with the way Putrajaya is handling the situation.

“The government should have thought this through before allowing students to go home (in its first decision).

“They should have forced students to stay on campus (from the start) because it’s riskier when hordes of students travel home at the same time, gathering at airports and bus terminals,” said the 24-year-old from Perak.

Students with limited funds, especially those from Sabah and Sarawak studying in the peninsula, have complained about the short notice to secure tickets to return home following the NSC directive on Tuesday.

Attempts to visit the student accommodation at Monash University Malaysia in Bandar Sunway were denied by the guards on duty.

All schools and tertiary education institutions are closed under the MCO, which also bans public gatherings and prohibits people from leaving home except to buy food and essential supplies, and for emergencies.

Malaysians are barred from travelling abroad, while those returning to the country are subjected to health screenings and must undergo a 14-day self-quarantine. The nation’s borders are closed to foreigners.

As of yesterday, Malaysia recorded 900 coronavirus infections with two deaths. Twenty patients are in the intensive care unit. – March 20, 2020.

*Names of students have been changed for their protection.