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COVID-19: Hundreds of students remain in dorms as Unpad locks down
As many as 364 students have stayed behind at Padjadjaran University (Unpad) dormitories in Sumedang, West Java, after the campus was shut down on Friday.
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Padjajaran University in Bandung, West Java. (kompas.com/Reni Susanti)
As many as 364 students have stayed behind at Padjadjaran University (Unpad) dormitories in Sumedang, West Java, after the campus was shut down on Friday.
“Based on the current conditions, students who are still inside the dormitories have to stay inside the premises," university spokesperson Dandi said on Saturday.
He said there were 913 students who lived in 15 dorms within the Unpad grounds. As of Friday, 559 students had returned to their hometowns, including 11 foreign students.
Dandi said the students who stayed inside the dorms were state-sponsored scholarship recipients.
“We advised them to stay inside the dormitories. They are also able to report their health condition and other needs to their resident assistants, who are connected to the university’s COVID-19 task force,” Dandi said, adding that the university would accommodate the students throughout the lockdown period.
The students living in the dorms would only attend online classes, just like other students.
He said that if students felt unwell, a medical team from Padjadjaran Clinic would visit the dorms.
To help supply the students with needs, Unpad’s COVID-19 task force has been collecting donations from the public. Those who wish to donate can send supplies such as food, as well as cash donations or internet data plans.
“Some cellular providers are already willing to help. However, some of the students cannot use [the internet plans] since they use different providers. The donated funds will be used to purchase internet packages for them,” Dandi explained.
The campus was put in an indefinite lockdown on Friday. Dandi said that residents of the dorms who returned to their respective homes should not return to the university for the time being.
“This lockdown policy will be implemented indefinitely until we see any improvement in the situation,” he said.
As of Sunday morning, Indonesia reported 450 confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide and 38 deaths. (dpk)
