COVID-19 Alert – July 15

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Don’t let your guard down

As we head into the Eid break, please take note of the following important steps to keep KAUST safe.COVID-19 cases continue to be reported in KAUST. It remains vital that everyone adhere to the Keeping KAUST Safe guidelines to ensure we don’t expose our community to greater risk. If we become complacent and the number of positive cases remains high or increases, we may have to revert back to more restrictions to keep the community safe.

Remember:

  • Wear a face covering correctly over mouth and nose – even outside if you are not physically distanced (closer than 1.5m)
  • Keep physical distance where possible
  • Wash or sanitize your hands frequently
  • Get vaccinated

Get vaccinated

Getting vaccinated is critical to keeping our community safe moving forward. Therefore, as previously announced, it is now a requirement that all KAUST employees, students, and dependents must have the “Immune by Tawakkalna” status by August 1, with two notable exceptions:

  1. Those under 18 remain exempt until vaccines are widely available in KSA for this age group. We will announce any changes to this exemption with sufficient advance notice but encourage anyone aged 12-18 to be vaccinated as per Kingdom guidelines.
  2. Newly-arriving international students, employees, and dependents that haven’t been able to be vaccinated with a Kingdom approved vaccine in their home country are required to enter institutional quarantine at a government facility. Upon arrival at KAUST, they must follow all Keeping KAUST Safe guidelines and be tested on a weekly basis until their Iqama is received, at which point they must immediately get vaccinated.

To ensure the safety of our community, Tawakkalna status will be checked at KAUST retail, recreation, classrooms, and in the workplace. Individuals will be held accountable to ensure this requirement has been met.


Report signs and symptoms

It is clear that more people are being found positive with symptoms of COVID-19, albeit mild ones. Please remain vigilant for these symptoms and do not simply brush them off as being a cold or a short term virus. 

If you have any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, please isolate yourself at home and contact KAUST Health. They will discuss symptoms with you and guide you through the next steps.


Become fully immune

The Kingdom recently announced that anyone who is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccines can now book for their second dose in Kingdom. Take this opportunity to become fully vaccinated.

We are aware of there being some difficulties and challenges for some trying to get appointment availability on Sehhaty or Tawakkalna. While we have engaged with the authorities on this, the current advice is to keep trying. In addition, there have been questions for people who have received their first dose at KAUST and the appointment for their second dose showing as if it is actually for their first dose. Please do not be concerned by this. Attend your scheduled appointment and when Tawakkalna updates you will be registered as having had both doses and be fully immune on the updated vaccine certificate.

KAUST is also anticipating being able to offer both AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines at KAUST Health after the Eid break. More details of this will be made available shortly but if you have an opportunity to have a second dose vaccine in Jeddah please go ahead and take it.

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

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