Dear KAUST community,

The CMT and the EOC established in response to the COVID-19 crisis continue to take action and wish to provide the following updates.

KAUST cases

The current number of positive cases identified on campus remains at 10. We are keeping in touch with and monitoring the progress of the three positive KAUST cases recently transferred to nominated facilities in Jeddah. 

Face masks update

The KAUST Fire Department and Volunteer Fire Fighters will be delivering face masks to each household starting today from 3:00 p.m. onwards. To maintain social distancing, they will be ringing the door bell and leaving the masks at your doorstep. Deliveries will be made over the next few days.

We encourage community members to get involved with producing homemade face masks. If you would like to make your own face mask or would like to be part of a group making face masks for the community, please visit the Community Life website. 

Taking off and disposing of single-use face masks: We would like to remind community members wearing disposable face masks to follow these simple tips to minimize the risk of contamination:

1. Remove the mask from your face from behind; do not touch the front of the mask
2. Discard immediately in a closed bin
3. Wash your hands immediately with soap or hand sanitizer
4. Never put on a new face mask until you have properly washed your hands.

Tamimi etiquette

We would like to remind the community that Tamimi is currently open from 6:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Here are some good practices to better plan your shopping in these fast-changing times: 

• Have a look at the QCam before you head off to the store
• Sanitize your hands and your shopping cart handle before entering the store
• Only one person per household can go inside
• No children allowed
• A managed number of people are allowed into the store at the same time. It is your responsibility to practice social distancing measures once in the store
• Plan ahead and write down a list. Buy groceries and household items for the whole week and buy fresh supplies once in between. Think about the needs of everyone in your household—including your pet(s)—to avoid forgetting items and having to return to the store
• As far as possible, only handle items that you are purchasing. Carefully look before you choose and pick items from the shelves or the counter display
• After 3:00 p.m., Tamimi staff and KAUST volunteers will pick/pack/deliver shopping for vulnerable groups and quarantine locations. Please note that orders placed by vulnerable groups and quarantine locations are triaged to ensure people are eligible for delivery and that order size is appropriate.

Webinar today

A Virtual Discussion on “The World After the Coronavirus:” What will the world look like after the coronavirus and what can research do to help fight it? That’s the question KAUST Professors David Keyes, J. Carlos Santamarina and Mani Sarathy propose to answer on Thursday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. in a webinar moderated by Dr. Naadiya Carrim.

Staying informed

• To stay informed about COVID-19 and the University’s efforts, visit KH.kaust.edu.sa/coronavirus.
• You can also contact our dedicated helpline by emailing CoronavirusTaskforce@kaust.edu.sa or by calling 012-808-0950 from Sunday to Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Please take a look at the Virtual Community Hub for things to do during the current situation. 
• Some community facilities, services and programs are operating with adjustments. Review the complete list.

Once again, we’d like to thank you for your cooperation and ongoing adherence to directives. These have been designed to keep you safe and to help manage the crisis.

Chris Sealey
Vice President, Community Life