The outbreak of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and the virus has now spread to many countries and territories. While a lot is still unknown about the virus that causes COVID-19, we do know that it is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (generated through coughing and sneezing). Individuals can also be infected from touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and touching their face (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth). While COVID-19 continues to spread it is important that communities take action to prevent further transmission, reduce the impact of the outbreak and support control measures.

Precautions are necessary to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 in learning institution settings; however, care must also be taken to avoid stigmatizing students and staff who may have been exposed to the virus. It is important to remember that COVID-19 does not differentiate between borders, ethnicities, disability status, age or gender. Education settings should continue to be welcoming, respectful, inclusive, and supportive environments to all. Measures taken by Egerton University students can prevent the entry and spread of COVID-19 by students who may have been exposed to the virus, while minimizing disruption and protecting students and staff from infection.

The purpose of this document is to provide clear and actionable guidance for safe operations through the prevention, early detection and control of COVID-19 while in the University. Egerton University encourages students to become advocates for disease prevention and control in the student community by talking to others about how to prevent the spread of the virus. 

• General guidelines;
  1. Practice frequent hand washing with clean running water and soap at the designated points while in the university.
  2. All other entertainment activities and groupings that are not adhering to COVID-19 social distancing protocol are suspended.
  3. Frequent use of alcohol-based sanitizers encouraged (individual student effort)
  4. Appropriate respiratory hygiene practice (while coughing or sneezing).
  5. Wearing of clean masks is a must while in the university.
  6. Avoid sharing of masks.
  7. Avoid sharing personal items at any one time.
  8. Students to observe social distance protocols both in lecture halls, labs, library, and residential areas.
  9. Frequent cleaning/disinfection of high touch personal spaces and surfaces (halls of residence, dining facilities, classrooms/labs, and other gathering places).
  10. Avoid stigmatizing others on issues related to COVID-19.
  11. Avoid damp places and keep warm.
  12. Avoid hand shaking, holding hands and hugging.
  13. Avoid kissing one another on any part of the body.
  14. Avoid physical contact by communicating through phone calls, sending SMS or even through social media.
  15. Take a bath or shower every day.
  16. Avoid re-use of clothes without washing.
  17. Avoid touching on the rails while going up or down the stairs.
  18. Avoid crowding for any services (mess, shop, offices etc).
  19. Be aware of your environment and keep records of whom you have interacted with.
  20. Students to make reference to the university guidelines, MOE, MOH, WHO (World Health Organization) & MOH (Ministry of Health) recommended guidelines.

• Mess (Dining places)
  1. Students encouraged to eat in the university mess in shifts and also make use of the takeaway option.
  2. Avoid handling cash by paying through M-pesa.
  3. Avoid group discussions in the mess.
  4. Students are encouraged to eat a well-balanced diet (vegetable, fruits, and plenty of warm water).
  5. Keep masks away from the table while eating. NOT on the table.
  6. Observe the MOH social distance rules while in the mess.
  7. Observe all the rules provided by catering department.

• Religious groups gathering
  1. University registered religious groups to make use of the assigned places for worship services in the university.
  2. Students are encouraged to observe and promote healthy hygiene practices among participants in faith services and other activities.
  3. Students to worship in shifts to practice social distance protocol.
  4. Students encouraged to participate in worship services through technology (social and electronic media).
  5. Tithes and offerings to be given through electronic media (Mpesa, bank transfers etc.).
  6. Frequent cleaning/sanitizing of worship spaces/surfaces.
  7. Every religious group to ensure that every worshiper has a temperature check at the entry and if over 37.5 degrees celsius to be denied entry and referred to medical department.
  8. Encourage mandatory use of masks during services.
  9. Encourage those with underlying health issues to worship away from physical congregation.
  10. Students to observe guidelines provided by university chaplaincy and national COVID-19 inter-religious council.
• Halls of Residence
  1. No visitors are allowed in the halls of residence.
  2. Students are not allowed to visit one another in their rooms.
  3. Students are advised to meet in open places in the university and observe social distance.
  4. Do not use masks when sleeping.
  5. Wash your hands with running water and soap after visiting common places.
  6. Frequently clean/disinfect personal space and surfaces.
  7. Adhere to the university halls lease agreement, and government hospitality guidelines.

• Sports
  1. Students to participate in sporting activities that does not involve physical contact (personally or through sharing of sporting objects).
  2. Students are encouraged to participate in sporting activities that maintain social distance.
  3. Students encouraged to sanitize Tennis Tables, Tennis Boards, Shuttle corks before use.
  4. Numbers in the field will be regulated as with the direction from the captains incharge.
  5. Swimming will be suspended till further notice.
  6. Maintain Social Distance in Television rooms.
  7. Television Remote MUST be sanitized and ideally operated by ONE person at any one given time.
  8. Students encouraged to use clean kits at all times.
  9. Avoid sharing of kits at all times.
  10. Ensure use of clean or sanitized equipment before re-use.
  11. Adhere to the university, government, and MOH guidelines on sports and recreation.

• Clubs and Associations
  1. Face to face meeting are suspended.
  2. Clubs encouraged to meet virtually.

Failure to observe the above listed guidelines will lead to quarantine and subsequent selfisolation back home, and later face disciplinary action upon resumption in accordance to the students’ rules and regulations article 9.0 and 10.0 (revised Students Rules and Regulations).