KUALA LUMPUR: The government will allow university students stranded on campuses nationwide to return to their hometowns, following the extension of the Movement Control Order (MCO) to May 12.
The standard operating procedure (SOP) for the students' movement home was tabled by Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad in a special meeting today, and announced this afternoon by Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri.
He said the students can begin their journeys home this Monday (April 27), between 9pm and 9am, and the exodus will be done gradually.
This, Ismail Sabri said, is to ensure a smooth journey back and to avoid mass movement.
"The movement will be done gradually and it will only involve journeys to green zones," he said at a press conference here today.
Ismail Sabri said those travelling home via bus will have to go through Covid-19 screening before boarding the vehicles, and will be provided with facemasks and food.
To ensure social distancing, he said the capacity of the bus will be limited.
"So, if the bus has two seats in a row, only one person can sit there, and if the bus is for 40 passengers, only 20 can be allowed on the bus," he said.
He said buses will pick up the students from their campuses and they will be brought straight to the police station or district office nearest their homes, before they are sent right to their doorstep by government agencies.
Ismail Sabri said the process is to ensure that the students go straight home and do not make any stops.
He said those who have their own transport can return home, but approval is needed for that.
"And no other passenger is allowed in the vehicle, and they cannot travel across states," he said.
As for students who wish to return to Sabah or Sarawak, Ismail Sabri said their flights will be paid for by the government, with cooperation from state governments.
He said the students will be flown to airports nearest their hometowns and then undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine, as required by both Sabah and Sarawak state governments.
Ismail Sabri said some 53,000 students, or 85 per cent, are expected to return to their hometowns, while the remaining 15 per cent have decided to stay put at their universities, polytechnics and community colleges.
"For those who have decided to stay on, the Higher Education Ministry (KPT) will continue to provide meals for them."
Ismail Sabri said more detailed announcements on the lifting of travel restrictions will be made by the KPT.
Meanwhile, for higher learning institutions under the supervision of other ministries, Ismail Sabri said each respective ministry will handle the matter, according to the same SOPs as stipulated by KPT.
Citing Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) as an example, Ismail Sabri said the process for that institution will be handled by the Rural Development Ministry.