The CCMT and the Coronavirus Taskforce continue to meet regularly to proactively appraise the current Covid-19 situation. As it continues to develop, we are stepping up preparations to mitigate any potential spread, should a case be confirmed in KAUST. These measures are precautionary at this stage, but we are trying to remain proactive in our approach and whilst they will impact our community for a short period, they will help ensure we minimize the risk overall.

There are no confirmed COVID-19 cases on campus and we are working hard for that to continue to be the case.

The following are items that we wish to update you on today.

In-Kingdom travel

At this time we ask that all non-essential travel outside of campus be halted. We understand that getting off campus can be important to visit family, for shopping, for recreation and more, but everyone's contribution to limiting contact is essential to keeping our community healthy.

Sustainability

During this critical period, all dining facilities have been asked to use disposable items to help reduce risk of transmission. We ask that community members carry their own cutlery, if they want to avoid use of disposable plastic. Please only refill personal water bottles at touchless filling stations.

Recreation

For the next 14 days, all recreation facilities, gyms, pools, weight rooms etc. will be closed - beginning at midnight tonight. We are currently reviewing how individual facilities might be made available for individual booking. We are also exploring the possibility of providing virtual exercise classes.

Golf

The Golf Course will continue to be open. We are making some changes to the schedule of use to allow greater access to non-golfing activities including:

Walking and Jogging:

• Monday, Thursday, Saturday – 6:00 am to 11:00 am
• Sunday, Wednesday and Friday – 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Golfing activities are available at all other times and we ask users to ensure a 1 person per golf cart rule.

Tennis

Courts will continue to be available. Players need to observe social distancing recommendations and hand hygiene advice.

South Beach

South Beach continues to be open and will be open 7 days per week. There will be no specific ladies day until further notice.

Please note: South Beach will be open on Sundays

• Sunday - 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Monday through Saturday - normal South Beach hours

Community members are advised to maintain social distancing guidelines, which can be found here. We strongly encourage you to use your own towels and where possible disinfect chairs and loungers after each use.

Watersport activities will be limited.

Community members can continue walking, jogging and cycling around campus.

If you have suggestions on how to keep our community healthy and energized during this challenging time, please email suggestions at CoronavirusTaskforce@kaust.edu.sa or wish to volunteer efforts to help the KAUST Community during this time.

Self-Directed Groups and Student Organizations

Campus activities organized through SDGs and Student Organizations are also cancelled until further notice. We are working with student groups to offer online activities and online meetings to help you stay active.

Facilities Services

Facilities Management (FM) have been working closely with the Coronovirus Taskforce and the Cononavirus Crisis Management Team (CCMT) to evaluate all the services being provided by our service contractors at KAUST. Following recent recommendations of social distancing, FM will now be running reduced services effective March 16, 2020 until the end of the month. Read more here.

KAUST Health Website

If you need to refer to previously published announcements related to COVID-19, you can do so at the KAUST Health website.

It is really great to see some of the positive community ideas being sent in to the Taskforce and Community Life. These are well received and are being reviewed at present and further communications will be made in the near future about these and other ideas.