COVID 19 - Coronavirus

We would like bring to your attention the protocols put in place, precautions taken, and decisions made so far by our University in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly spreading around the globe as well as additional action plans we have carefully tailored to put in effect if need be.

In addition to the guidelines and protocols described in our announcements posted on MyOzU on February 5, February 19, March 6, and March 9, respectively, please be advised that our State of Emergency Commission has also updated our existing precautions in the light of the latest developments. You may find our updated list of precautions in effect below:

Measures and Actions Detailed in the Announcements and Still in Effect:

• All university/business related travels to the high-risk countries announced by the Ministry of Health have been either postponed or cancelled. Also members are also recommended to postpone their travels to other countries.
• All employees were asked to inform and obtain the approval of their directors/managers about all their international travel plans, including those for emergencies. Also, all students were required to notify their faculties/schools/graduate schools about their intended travels.
• All OzU members who have been abroad within the last month were requested to take a 14-day leave upon their return and not to enter the University premises during the time they are on leave.
• The make-up right of students who took a 14-day leave while the courses remained in session was followed by their faculties/schools.
• All faculty and staff members are requested to obtain a clean bill of health at the end of the 14-day period in order to confirm their wellbeing, email it to their managers/directors, and have the approval of their managers in order to be allowed to return to work.
• OzU members with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms that are akin to those of the coronavirus infection are allowed to work from home by informing their directors and obtaining a health report to verify their condition.   
• The necessary arrangements were made for our faculty, staff, and students with immune suppression, and/or lung or heart diseases to be considered on administrative leave upon their request by providing proof of their condition.
• Our outgoing exchange students who are currently abroad for their exchange programs have been contacted. The necessary arrangements were made to enable those who decide to return home within the given period to resume their Spring semester courses at our University following a 14-day leave.
• All scheduled university-hosted international events and visits have been cancelled.

Concurrently with the measures and protocols above:

• The necessary action plans to follow in case of a coronavirus case have been reviewed and revised as necessary with our university physician and medical team at the Health Center.
• All on-campus businesses have been informed about the issue, and necessary actions have been defined.
• A special training has been given to staff of on-campus food businesses about the coronavirus precautions. Furthermore, it was made sure that staff regularly undergo medical examination at the infirmary everyday.
• It was made sure that all staff and student shuttles are periodically disinfected.
• In all buildings, high-contact surfaces such as door handles, revolving doors, elevators, railings, and hand rails started to be regularly cleaned with disinfectant liquid.
• Periodic disinfestation of shared areas and frequently used areas in the dormitories (using disinfectants containing 70% alcohol) has been included in the cleaning schedule.  
• Disinfectant liquid (containing 70% alcohol) has been placed in all toilets.
• Short videos about coronavirus have been aired both on indoor screens and on the HSE website. 
• A coronavirus safety poster has been prepared and posted on all announcement boards and elevators in all buildings, including the dormitories. 

Our State of Emergency Commission evaluated the latest developments during its meeting this week, and decided to maintain all the previously-announced and above-summarized precautions.    

Likewise, in line with the recommendations of the authorized public health officials, the commission has evaluated the main activities of our University, and concluded that at this point, in-person instruction at our University must continue as is without any change to our Spring semester academic calendar or courses. 

Meanwhile, a broad set of new actions are being taken as we speak to prepare for different requirements which may arise in the future.  These are:

• Canceling, as a precaution, all university-hosted events with external participants as soon as possible,
• Identifying and preparing the necessary infrastructure to be provided by the Information Technology Department for remote learning in case in-person instruction is no longer maintainable on campus,
• Designating a floor in the dormitories as a self-isolation area to provide risk-free accommodation to our dorm residents with the disease symptoms until the time they are able to go to their homes/relatives.

On this note, OzU members in need of emergency help on campus may, as always, contact 0216 564 9 911 to have access to our 24/7 ambulance and medical services.

Please also be informed that, in order to maintain our effective communication policy with you during this time, we have added a new tab to the Solution Center Request Catalogue: “Coronavirus COVID-19”. You may use this tab for all your inquiries about the coronavirus. Your inquiries will be referred to and answered by our relevant team as soon as possible.

We would like to highlight once again that our University’s official channels should be your only source of information for the latest updates and announcements about the course of action our University takes in response to the current situation.