KAUST cases
Four new cases of COVID-19 have been identified at KAUST, bringing the total number of cases of COVID-19 identified at KAUST to 25. The new identified cases were in quarantine, as was their small contact tracing group. All of these people remain in quarantine.
We are keeping in touch with all of our positive cases and monitoring their progress. We wish each of these community members well.
Thank You KAUST film
We say a big thank you to the KAUST community—especially frontline workers and volunteers—for all your collective effort throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The film, which celebrates the work of the KAUST community, shines a light on family life during the lockdown and the recent KAUST car parade.
Face covering requirements update
As we move through Phase 2 of the KAUST reopening plan, we need to remain alert as would any community that begins reopening, to minimize the risk of spikes in positive cases.
Wearing a face covering any time you are outside your home is the safest approach to Keep KAUST Safe. KAUST is requiring the use of face coverings to protect everyone in the following public spaces:
- Campus and workplace except when alone in your office or vehicle and when eating or drinking in designated areas
- Public indoor spaces – KAUST Health, markets, pharmacy, retail shops and stores, restaurants, cafes, banks, mosques, libraries, recreation centers, public transportation (bus/taxi), restrooms and any other public indoor facilities, except when eatingor drinking
- Public outdoors where physical distancing can’t be achieved including parks, beaches, Discovery Square, stadium, tracks, Safaa golf course, football fields, tennis and basketball courts, monuments, café and restaurant outdoor seating, recreational pools and any other outdoor fields, except when eating or drinking
It’s important to emphasize that physical distancing (two meters or six feet) remains an essential requirement and that face coverings are NOT a substitute for physical distancing.
Read more about the updated face covering requirements here.
KAUST-organized Saudia flights
We would like to inform KAUST residents that additional KAUST-organized flights, operated by Saudia, are now open for booking on the Saudia website:
- Jeddah to Paris on June 20 (SV127)
- Jeddah to Frankfurt on June 21 (SV1979)
- Jeddah to Amsterdam on June 21 (SV215)
- Jeddah to London on June 24 (SV115)
- Jeddah to London on June 28 (SV115)
The COVID-19 Operations Hub is arranging buses to the airport for these flights. Please contact the Hub to secure a seat.
Please refer to the announcement about the KAUST-organized Saudia flights to arrange your booking.
KAUST charter flights—registration deadline extended
Based upon further requests from community members, the deadline to register your interest for the KAUST arranged charter flights has been extended until Saturday, June 20 at 12:00 midday. Two flight options are being offered at present:
- Monday, July 6 – Jeddah to London
- Wednesday, July 8 – London to Jeddah
For those who already submitted the form, please note that we will be in touch early next week to confirm flight information, including departure time, luggage allowance, etc.
Leaving campus
Anyone planning to leave KAUST must inform the COVID-19 Operations Hub of his or her intention to leave and inform the Hub one week prior to returning.Please note that anyone who is given permission to return to KAUST will be required to go directly to KAUST Health ER upon return for an assessment, and he or she, and any people with whom the individual shares a house, are immediately required to enter quarantine, in line with the requirements in place at that time.
We strongly recommend that KAUST residents do not leave KAUST at this time. If you do decide to leave, it should be for essential reasons only.
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.
KAUST COVID-19 Crisis Center (KC3)
Community resources
Staying informed
- Stay informed about COVID-19 and the University’s directives here
- Contact the COVID-19 Operations Hub or call 012 808 0950 Sunday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- For other matters please call:
- 054 470 0804 — for Emotional Support Helpline
- 012 808 0959 — for Facilities Management
- 012 808 2055 — for Human Resources
- 054 470 1111 — for Government Affairs
- Review changes to operating hours for facilities, services and programs
When does Coffey Bean and Tim Hortons open?