2020•04•24     Kuala Lumpur

Updated 17 March 2021 (originally posted 18 March 2020)

The novel coronavirus epidemic China was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on the 23rd of January this year. When COVID-19, as it is later called, was declared as a pandemic on March 11th, UNU-IIGH began to review its scoped activities for 2020.

The Institute is adhering to the Malaysian Government’s Movement Control Order (MCO) which began in the period of 18-31 March 2020, and has been continually extended as necessary. A detailed timeline of the MCO, transition to Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), and subsequent updates can be found at this link.

UNU-IIGH will continue its operations according to the guidelines from the UN and the UNU as well as authorities in Malaysia.

COVID-19 Response Team

A crisis response team has been assembled to review updates from the Resident Coordinator’s Office, the UNU headquarters, and the Malaysian Government for dissemination to all staff. This response team include core focal points for programme, human resource, security, and communications.

Research and Administration

All our staff will be working from home for the duration and can be reached via email. Our research projects will continue as usual, except for those that require in-person travel to complete.

Convening, Seminars and Workshops

All local and international workshops and seminars were originally postponed until after June 2020.

Meetings convened by the Institute will be conducted online, whenever possible. This includes our international advisory board meetings, which have been held online.

Travel Policy

All business-related travels are suspended until further notice.

Hygiene and Body Temperature Monitoring

The hygiene processes on our premises were heightened upon the announcement by the WHO in January. All communal surfaces are disinfected twice daily, with hand sanitisers provided on each floor.

Every person entering our premises (staff and visitors alike) are required to have their temperature taken and recorded. Individuals with body temperatures exceeding 37.5˚C are requested to leave the building.

We can all work together to do our parts to flatten the curve and support those in need. Do stay informed and healthy, and please check our website and follow us on our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn) for regular updates on our research and activities.