Dear KAUST Community,
Thank you for doing your part to Keep KAUST Safe during our transition back to Tier 0.5 on March 6, 2022. Cases continue to remain low in KAUST and Saudi Arabia, and vaccines and boosters remain widely available. Based on this information, KAUST has modified its Tier 0.5 guidelines as follows:
With the exceptions noted below, face coverings are no longer required in KAUST; rather, it is an individual’s safety choice. We now rely on our community to make an informed decision as to when and where face coverings are used, which follows the same approach previously made to physical distancing. Anyone inclined to wear a face covering should continue to do so. Regardless of an individual’s reason for wearing a face covering, I ask that we support each other’s personal choices with empathy and respect.
However, because TKS and Daycare facilities still have large populations of community members who are unvaccinated, everyone above the age of two will be required to wear face coverings indoors for now while in TKS and/or Daycare. Additionally, KAUST Health will require face coverings in its healthcare facilities, as will the banks in KAUST, which follow national banking requirements.
Refer to the Face Coverings page on the Keeping KAUST Safe website for more information.
Call to Action: Parents of unvaccinated children ages 5 –11
Vaccines have been widely available for children 5 –11 years old in KAUST since January. Whereas all students age 12 and above are now vaccinated, only 37.2% of 5 –11 year-olds are registered as fully vaccinated. Cases may be low, but risks resulting from COVID-19 infections continue, and we want to get our entire TKS body into “new normal” operations. I urge all parents of unvaccinated children ages 5 –11 years to book now with KAUST Health, and register the vaccinations with KAUST if they were vaccinated outside KAUST Health.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), children are as likely to be infected with COVID-19 as adults and can:
- Get very sick from COVID-19
- Have both short and long-term health complications from COVID-19
- Spread COVID-19 to others, including at home and school.
A COVID-19 vaccine can help protect children ages five and above:
- Vaccinating children can help protect family members, including siblings who are not eligible for vaccinations, and family members who may be at increased risk of getting very sick if they are infected.
- Vaccinations can also help keep children from getting seriously sick even if they do get COVID-19.
- Vaccinating children ages 5 years and older can help keep them in school and safely participate in sports, playdates and other group activities.
Vaccinations are the most important mitigation tool available for COVID-19, and part of our multi-pronged approach that includes education and testing. These guidelines have served us well in Keeping KAUST Safe throughout the pandemic. Our science-based and risk-based approach ensures we make the most informed decisions.
I have asked TKS to encourage parents to vaccinate, and we will review this issue again soon to determine what else we can do.
I want to thank you all personally for your continued support during these unprecedented times.
Sincerely,
Tony F. Chan
KAUST President
Chair, KC3
