January 3 COVID-19 update

0
2447

Returning from international travel 

To reiterate yesterday’s message regarding international travel, and following the Kingdom’s announcement on January 3 in relation to lifting the recent international travel ban, we wish to address the travel restrictions and the impacts for KAUST personnel.

Due to the lifting of the travel ban, we now strongly encourage everyone to return to KAUST as soon as possible. Other than those located in two countries (the United Kingdom and South Africa), every employee who is currently out of the Kingdom can now return to KAUST directly. KAUST personnel coming from the U.K. and South Africa are advised to find alternative routes back to KAUST in accordance with the Saudi Government statement on the matter. We have published comprehensive information about travel & quarantine requirements explaining the current restrictions and measures taken upon arrival in the Kingdom, which will be updated as the situation evolves.

Each employee is advised to now check with their airline and the guidelines of the country they are currently in to arrange their return trip as soon as is possible.

KAUST will continue to communicate and share relevant information but it is the responsibility of each employee to keep themselves informed and to manage their travel arrangements. 

Read more about the return plan restrictions and requirements that apply to your personal situation here


Approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in Saudia Arabia

KAUST President Tony Chan successfully received his first of two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Thursday, December 31, 2020, and he had a good experience to share.

He registered interest in receiving the vaccine himself using the Sehhaty app in his personal capacity and received an appointment notification at the Jeddah regional vaccination center with his second dose scheduled for three weeks later.

He indicated the app was easy to use and the setup at the vaccination center was smooth and professional.

Everyone in the KAUST community age 16 and over is strongly encouraged to register for the free COVID-19 vaccine through the Sehhaty app (Android / iOS).

Read more about the registering your vaccination interest here


January 3 COVID-19 update

Here is an overview of the positive cases reported to KAUST Health since the last bulletin. 

Two individuals were showing symptoms and presented to KAUST Health to be tested. One of these two cases is currently in hospital in Jeddah receiving treatment and the other is in quarantine at KAUST.

The third case was a contact of a previous positive case and the fourth case was a recent international arrival who tested positive on its second PCR test on day 10 of quarantine.

All contact tracing has been completed and relevant persons are currently in quarantine. 

The 14-day positivity rate* at KAUST is currently not available**. 

We’d like to thank all community members for practicing physical distancing, the wearing of face coverings, hand washing and adherence to the Keeping KAUST Safe guidelines.

If you have symptoms, please stay home and call KAUST Health at 012 808 0940.

* Positivity rate = % of positive tests returned from the total number of tests taken during a 14-day period. Excludes where the result is still pending or the swab was rejected.

** This rate will only be displayed if the number of tests conducted achieves a significant threshold (724 tests). Over the past 14-day period, 210 tests were conducted, which explains the unavailability of the positivity rate, as it is not statistically significant.  


See the most up-to-date information about KAUST COVID-19 cases anytime by clicking on the button below or visiting – hse.kaust.edu.sa

Kindly note: Dashboard content is auto-generated on a rolling seven-day basis. 

Where to turn when you need to know

LEAVE A REPLY