STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOPS) for HEALTH AND SAFETY1

For Students

These SOP’s apply to LUMS students on campus (resident and day scholars).

General SOPs

Students should always:

1) Observe physical distancing of 2 meters. Gatherings of more than two

persons should always be out in the open, never inside a room or a building.
2) Practice respiratory/cough etiquette: Use a tissue to cover your mouth and
nose every single time you cough or sneeze. Resort to coughing into your
elbow if a tissue is not available. Never cough into your hands or the open
air. Always turn your face away from people around you when coughing
or sneezing.
3) Students must practice hand hygiene, that is frequent washing of hands for
at least twenty seconds with soap and water. Avoid touching the nose and
eyes. Everyone should strive to carry sanitizer/soap with them. After use,
they must dispose of the mask and gloves responsibly.
4) Use of face masks indoors is mandatory unless alone in one’s room. Masks
should be worn outdoors in the presence of other people and where social
distancing is not possible.
5) If Resident Students must go off-campus, they must be back by 8.00 pm.
Students must continue to exercise caution and follow SOPs off campus.

Specific SOPs

IN CASE OF SICKNESS

If you feel sick with COVID-19 like symptoms-- fever, body aches; sore throat etc.
(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-
testing/symptoms.html), or you think you may have been exposed to someone
with COVID-19.

1
Version dated October 28, 2020. The strategy will be updated based on feedback and as such remains a
‘live’ document
Resident Students:

Notify your respective Housing Officer (phones prominently displayed in each

hostel) and follow their instructions.

The Housing Officer will:

a) Move you to a quarantine room for isolation in the Quarantine Center

(Ground floor of M-5 for males and F-5 for females).
b) Notify the doctor in the Health Center, and campus psychological services.
c) The nursing staff/doctor will examine you in the quarantine room and give
advice regarding your care.

The Doctor’s advice can be:

1) Go back to your own room on campus.

If the doctor determines that your symptoms are not COVID-19 related,
then you can go back to your room and take care of yourself as directed
by the doctor. You will be examined again after 12-24 hours and your
determination updated.

2) Stay in the quarantine room on campus.

If the doctor determines your sickness/symptoms are or can be COVID-19,
you will stay in the quarantine room. You will be provided: dedicated
support staff and monitoring of symptoms by the Health Center doctor and
Counseling and psychological support, available through the campus
psychological services [email protected]
(Phone: 0307 024 7704 and 0348 880 5044).

The purpose of keeping you in isolation is to confirm if you are truly infected with
COVID-19 virus. COVID -19 is confirmed by PCR test, the sample is taken from your
throat and nose. You will be asked to take a PCR test that will be paid by LUMS.
The University has made arrangements with a laboratory to do this test while you
are in the quarantine room. The results of this test are available in 24 hours. The
results of your PCR show if you have COVID-19, or are free from the virus. The results
of your PCR test determines how you will be cared for subsequently.

PCR Test result can be either Negative or Positive.

 Negative result of PCR test: In most circumstances this means that your
illness may be for some other reason however, this could also be a false
negative and you still may have COVID-19. Your diagnosis will be
ascertained by the doctor in conjunction with other symptoms and test
 results (if need be). If cleared by the doctor, you can go back to your room,
and normal campus life while taking any medicine the doctor prescribed
for you.
 Positive result of PCR test: If your PCR test is positive, that means you have
the COVID-19 virus.

If your PCR is positive, the Provost’s office will inform your parents/guardians
immediately in order to have you picked up in a private vehicle to be taken care
of in the safety and comfort of your home. You may return to campus after 10-14
days, after your repeat PCR is negative. If in the unlikely event that this is not
possible, students will self-isolate on campus in the isolation center (ground floor
M-5 or F-5). You will be monitored by nursing staff/doctor, supported by
psychologists till you get better. This process usually takes 10-14 days.

If symptoms are severe with breathing problems, you will be moved to a

Government designated hospital (currently Mayo Hospital) where LUMS has
made arrangements for your care while you recover from the infection. You will
stay at the hospital till your repeat PCR is negative. After that you can come back
to the campus

Day Students:

1) You can consult the doctor at the Campus Health Center (Ph: 042 3560 8000
ext 2543), where you will be examined and advised about the next steps. You
may be advised to get a PCR test, which you can get off campus. Please follow
the doctor’s instructions, as you continue to live at home, till you get better and
your PCR test after 14 days is negative. After that you can resume your work on
campus.

2) If you prefer you can go home and follow up with your personal doctor.

3) In case of non (suspected) COVID-19 related problems, such as accidents and

other medical issues students should visit/contact the Health & Wellness Center
(Medical Center) (042 3560 8000 Ext. 2543) as per previous practice.

Quarantine/ Isolation

 Under quarantine/self-isolation, students are not allowed to leave their

isolation/quarantine rooms. Staff will help them access food, etc.
 Students will be trained to keep a log of their health status and a record of
any symptoms.
 Students will have telephone access to a staff person, a nurse/clinician and
to the helpdesk.
  In case they develop more serious symptoms such as shortness of breath,
they will be moved to a hospital.

Psychological Support
Students feeling distressed are encouraged to seek help from campus counsellors
at 0307 024 7704 or [email protected]

Academic Instruction

Lectures

 All lectures during Fall 2020 will be online.

 Students will attend lectures on their personal computers/laptops either in
their rooms or outside.
 If working in groups, they must be in an open space, and wear masks while
maintaining social distancing protocols.

Library

All users are encouraged to pay attention to signs placed outside the building
that give the details of protocols for use of the building.

 Students should swipe their smartcards at the library entrance indicating

the time of entry and exit from the library.
 Users should respect designated seating spaces, limit group size, maintain
physical distance and be masked.
 Students to browse the various sections of the library while maintaining SOPS
regarding social distancing and wearing masks.
 Books should be returned through the book drop box by the users. No book
is to be returned at the circulation counter.
 The returned books may be quarantined for 8 hours before being checked
in and placed on the shelves. Students to whom the books have already
been issued can keep it until required by another user. No late fee to be
charged during this period.

Computer Labs and Other Labs

All users are encouraged to pay attention to signs placed outside the building
that give the details of protocols for use of space.

 Based on space, only certain numbers determined and monitored by

faculty or the lab manager, will be allowed in at one time. Students, while
maintaining distance, should wait outside the lab door until their turn.
  Lab time should be limited to no more than 2 hours or that previously
determined by Lab Director per student, so all have a chance to work.
 Students should maintain a distance of at least 2 meters. There should be a
distance of at least 3 seats in between students.
 Each student should wipe down the equipment after use.

Housing and Living

 Two Housing Officers are on duty 24/7 in the hostels.

 Whenever possible, students are encouraged to keep their windows open
for ventilation.
 Students are not allowed to use common rooms and lifts which will remain
locked.
 No more than two students are concurrently allowed in the kitchen, ironing
area, showers and laundry rooms.
 Dishwashing is to be done by students themselves. No dishes to be left in
the sink. Sinks, taps and doorknobs should be wiped down after use.
 Food in common fridges should be labeled by the owner's name.
 For visits to the barber shop and the beauty parlor, no more than two
customers should be at the venue at any given time and must wear masks.
 If laundry service is used, students are to pack their dirty laundry safely in
plastic bags for pickup. If students are washing their laundry in washrooms,
they should wait for their turn to use spinners. They should wipe down
counters and other surfaces prior to leaving.

Provision of Food and Eating and Khoka Visits

 Take away counters are available at the PDC for ordering food.
 While queueing, customers should maintain a social distance of at least
2 meters/6 feet from one another.
 Eating in a group is allowed in open spaces in front of the PDC or at the
LUMS square adjacent to the Khoka, while maintaining social distance.
 Sharing food is strongly discouraged.
 Takeaways are only allowed at the LUMS In-Gate.
 No more than five customers are allowed in the Super Store at any one
time. Inside the superstore customers should maintain a distance of at least
2 meters/6feet Queues should be maintained outside for those awaiting.

Public Washrooms

 No more than two persons at one time should be in the washrooms

especially when washrooms are heavily used (e.g. for Wudoo).
Socializing/Gatherings/Events

 Social gatherings are only allowed outdoors.

 Gatherings should not exceed 20 persons.
 All gathered should observe physical distancing, respiratory/cough
etiquette, and hand hygiene practices as explained previously.
 Events planned by students or student societies are meant for the LUMS
community exclusively and require approval from OSA.

Congregational Prayers

Praying outside the mosque or in one’s room is encouraged, especially on Fridays.

Once the weather permits, congregational prayers can be held outdoors.
For prayers inside the mosque:

 Distance of at least 2 meters is to be observed while praying.

 Students are encouraged to bring their own prayer mats.
 Resident Students are to perform ablution at hostels as ablution rooms at
the mosque will be closed.
 Sick, elderly and children under 15 years of age are strongly discouraged
to attend congregational prayers.

Gyms and Games

 Students will use the gym through an online booking system (once
available) that begins bookings at the hour and is monitored by the gym
instructor.
 Each booking slot is for 45 minutes followed by 15 minutes of deep cleaning
 Random temperature checking can be expected just before entering the
gym.
 There should be no more than seven persons inside the gym at one time
and no more than four in the executive gym.
 The schedule is determined using a first come, first served basis, unless it is
full.
 Hand sanitizer is available at entrance to the gym and everyone must
sanitize on entry.
 Students should change into gym wear at home/hostels and avoid
changing inside the lockers. No bags are allowed inside the gym.
 Students are to bring their own exercise/yoga mats and water/drinks.
 Students should maintain physical distance even if getting training in the
gym. No physical contact between users (handshakes, high fives).
 Students should wipe down the equipment before and after the use, and
door knobs/handles as they leave.
  Students should maintain social distancing while using the track, the sports
complex or during any games.
 Squash courts will remain closed for now in addition to other offices inside
the sports complex.
 Failure to comply will lead to usage privileges being withdrawn with
immediate effect.

Visitors

 Visitors are allowed in case of an emergency only. Students should get a

request approved through OSA as per their procedure, at least 24 hours in
advance. They should also provide the purpose of meeting, the
identification documents of the visitor, and time and duration of visit.
 Visitors are not allowed inside hostels, and the meeting will take place in an
open space.

Off-campus Student Visits

 If Resident Students must go off-campus, they must be back by 8.00 pm.

Students need to exercise caution and follow SOPs at all times on and off
campus.
 If a student needs to stay overnight, upon return the student will have to
stay in quarantine for 5 days. At the end of the 5 days quarantine the
student will need to be cleared by a medical professional before he or she
can relocate to their rooms. If they are advised to be tested, the cost of
the test will be borne by the student.
 Students wishing to check-out of the hostel and leave campus to return
home need to petition OSA (042 3560-2230; [email protected]) before
checking-out. Returning to reside on campus may not be allowed for the
remainder of the semester.