UNIVERSITI Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS) in Kuala Kangsar has been ordered to close for six days starting today following the spread of the Covid-19 among students at the campus, said its dean of student affairs Dr Ahmad Zaki Hasan.

He said the six-day closure until November 15 is to enable disinfection operations to be carried out at the campus.

Zaki, who is also the USAS’ Covid-19 Special Task Force Ops director, said all university staff have been instructed to work from home, except those involved in essential services.

Zaki said about 800 students living on campus will continue their studies online and will not be allowed to return home.

“USAS has 6,000 students, but we have been asked to reduce the number on campus by 30% to 1,300 people,” he said today.

“However, due to a public holiday last week, some students who left for home have been unable to return to campus following the implementation of the conditional movement-control order (CMCO), so currently, we have about 800 students living on campus.”

On complaints from parents against students not being allowed to leave campus, Zaki said the move is aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19 as there is an active cluster in Kuala Kangsar – the Rengas cluster.

He said the directive will facilitate online learning with fast internet connection on campus.

He advised families not to worry as the university will safeguard the well-being and needs of the students, who will be allowed to go out to town to buy food and necessities.

Zaki said two USAS students tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday and on Sunday, and are linked to the Rengas cluster.

“Three students and 30 lecturers have undergone swab tests and are undergoing self-quarantine at a special house or hall provided on campus,” he said.

As at noon yesterday, the number of cases in the Rengas Cluster stood at 101. – Bernama, November 10, 2020.