2.1 Composition of the University COVID-19 response committee

The University COVID-19 response committee shall be appointed by the Vice
Chancellor. The chairperson of the committee shall be the Vice Chancellor or an
academic staff member nominated by him. The membership of the committee shall
comprise:

• Deans and academic and non-academic staff representatives from each Faculty
• University Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
• Director, Information Communication Technology Centre or representative
• Director, Centre for Distance and Continuing Learning or representatives
• The Registrar
• The Bursar
• Chief Student Counsellor or representative
• The Librarian or representative
• Senior Assistant/ Assistant Registrars of each Faculty
• Public Health Inspector(s) of the University and Faculties
• The Engineer
• The Civil Works Supervisor
• Chief Security Officer
• Bursar, Supplies Division
• Senior Assistant Registrar, Student Welfare
• Representatives from staff unions and welfare societies
• Medical Officer of Health, Kelaniya

2.2 Function of the University response committee

The University COVID-19 response committee shall:

• Conduct a situation analysis on COVID-19 prevention and control at the University level.
• Develop and adopt guidelines for COVID-19 prevention and control in the University.
• Monitor the implementation of the above guidelines.
• Provide guidance to Faculties on COVID-19 prevention and control.
• Support infrastructure development and procurement relevant to COVID-19 prevention and control in the University.
• Evaluate the COVID-19 prevention and control guidelines periodically and address any shortcomings.
• Collaborate with all internal and external stakeholders for COVID-19 prevention and control.

2.3 Composition of the Faculty response committee

The Faculty COVID-19 response committee shall be appointed by the Dean. The
chairperson of the committee shall be the Dean or an academic staff member nominated by him/ her. The membership shall comprise:

• Dean
• Faculty nominees of the University level committee
• Senior Assistant/ Assistant Registrar(s) of the Faculty
• Senior Assistant Bursar/Assistant Bursar of the Faculty
• Academic and non-academic staff
• Representative from the computer centre
• Chief Student Counsellor or representative
• Senior Assistant Librarian or representative
• Public Health Inspector of the Faculty
• Civil Works Supervisor of the Faculty
• Chief Security Officer of the Faculty
• Medical Officer of Health, Kelaniya/ Ragama

2.4 Function of the Faculty response committee

The Faculty COVID-19 response committee shall:

• conduct a situation analysis on COVID-19 prevention and control at the Faculty level.
• develop and adopt guidelines for COVID-19 prevention and control.
• monitor the implementation of the above guidelines.
• evaluate the COVID-19 prevention and control guidelines periodically and address any shortcomings.
• collaborate with all internal and external stakeholders for COVID-19 prevention and control.

2.5 Function of University Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and his team

The University Chief Medical Officer (CMO) shall:

• be responsible for overall prevention and control.
• maintain an online reporting system on COVID-19 situation and reporting to the COVID-19 response committee.
• provide essential medical services to the University during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• coordinate COVID-19 prevention and control services with the health system.

2.6 Functions of Public Health Inspectors (PHIs)

The Public Health Inspector shall carry out the following duties:

• monitor the prevention and control activities in the University.
• conduct health promotion/education of staff and students.
• report to the COVID-19 response committee on COVID-19 prevention and control activities.

2.7 Functions of the Registrar’s office

The Registrar’s offices shall

• coordinate and monitor implementation of all prevention activities.
• facilitate procurement and distribution of all necessary supplies.
• report to the Faculty and University COVID-19 response committees.

3.1 Before coming to work/ studies:

All staff and students shall

3.1.1 check their temperature at home (should be less than 98.4F or 37C 0 )
3.1.2 wear simple attire,
3.1.2.1 avoiding wearing non-essential accessories (wrist- watch, bracelets, jewelry;
use very minimumaccessories),
3.1.2.2 avoiding clothing that has a higher chance of coming in contact with other
surfaces or objects and which need frequent handling such as sarees and ties,
3.1.2.3 avoiding wearing jewellery/wrist watches/ rings in hands since this interferes
with hand washing,
3.1.2.4 avoiding applying beauty care products which come in contact with the face
such as lipsticks, make-up brushes, etc. at the workplace, and
3.1.2.5 ensuring clothes are thoroughly washed with detergent, dried in the sun and
ironed at high temperature.

3.1.3 bring their food and beverages from home.
3.1.4 preferably travel in private/personal transportation modes than using
publictransport.
3.1.5 wear a facemask during ravel and while in the University premises.

3.2 On arrival at the University

On arrival at the University, all staff and students shall
3.2.1 wash hands immediately at the entrance (at least for 20 seconds following the correct procedure),
3.2.2 avoid touching surfaces unnecessarily,
3.2.3 maintain physical distancing at all occasions as described below and follow
instructions, and
3.2.4 sanitize hands using alcohol hand rub (at least for 20 seconds following the correct procedure) when touching surfaces. If the finger print scanner is to be used, the hand should be sanitized before and after using the scanner as mentioned above.

3.3 On returning home/ hostel/ boarding house from the University

On returning to homes/hostels/boarding houses after work from the University, all staff and students shall
3.3.1 wash hands thoroughly with soap and water following the recommended guidelines.
3.3.2 remove clothing and shoes/ slippers and leave them outside, wash them before taking inside or wearing them again.
3.3.3 wash personal belongingswith soap and water or disinfectant with 70% alcohol
sanitizer (mobile phone, bags, and other accessories)if they are likely to be
contaminated by frequently touched surfaces (ex. bus seats etc.).
3.3.4 enter the house/ hostel only after a bath.
3.3.5 maintain good personal health and hygiene by practising;

• eating a balanced diet
• drinking an adequate amount of clean water
• taking regular physical exercise
• abstaining from unhealthy habits such as smoking and consumption of alcohol.
• caring about your family members’ health.

3.4 Categories of workers/ students/visitors who should NOT report for work/ studies
Staff and students falling into any of the following categories should not report for work:

3.4.1 Persons having fever, with or without respiratory symptoms such as cough, runny nose, sore throat and/or shortness ofbreath, new onset anosmia (loss of smell) and taste disturbance.
3.4.2 Persons who have had contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.
3.4.3 Persons who were in quarantine or were a close contact of someone in quarantine within the last 14 days.
3.4.4 Persons who have a household contact/ family member with above symptoms.
Staff/ students who are in any one of the above categories should inform the Head/
Department and/or UMO

4.1 Engineering controls

4.1.1 Hand hygiene

4.1.1.1 Hand washing

Hand washing is always superior to alcohol hand rub.

Hand washing stations with elbow/foot operated/ sensor taps, liquid soap, hand dryers/ paper towels and a peddle operated discard bin with lid should be availableat;

o Each entry point of the faculties
o Entry points ofall buildings used by the staff / students.

Preferably at least one elbow/foot operated/ sensor tap should be available inside each Department.

4.1.1.2 Alcohol hand rub

Hand sanitizing stations with wall mounted hand sanitizers containing 70% alcohol should be available at

o each finger print scanner
o entrances to offices (AR office, Deans office etc.) and buildings
o entrances to Departments/Centers
o places where there is no practical possibility to have hand washing
Ensure a continuous supply of good quality hand sanitizers/ hand rub with 70% alcohol

4.1.2 Ventilation
4.1.2.1 If a group of people are working in an enclosed space, donot use air conditioning as it results in re-circulation of the room air. This might increase the risk of dispersion of droplets.
4.1.2.2 Encourage natural ventilation by keeping windows and doors open.
4.1.2.3 If there is a need to install air purifiers in any enclosed space/ office rooms, please take advice from the committee before installing.

4.1.3 Use of elevators
4.1.3.1 Minimize use of elevators. Non-essential elevators should be disabled.
4.1.3.2 If elevators are used, provide hand sanitizers. It is important to practice hand hygiene after using elevators. The surfaces of the elevator should not be touched
unnecessarily.
4.1.3.3 It is better if only one person uses the elevator in one ride. If an elevator is used by more than one person at a given time, ensure a distance of 1 meter from each other. Preferably they should not stand facing one another (stand facing opposite directions).
4.1.3.4 Ensure that all surfaces inside and outside including wall buttons of elevators are frequently cleaned with disinfectants (Refer Annex 1).

4.1.4 Decontamination chambers
Decontamination chambers may cause allergies in some individuals. It is not recommended to install decontamination chambers within the University premises.

4.2 Administrative control
4.2.1 Work schedules
4.2.1.1 Ensure that theminimum number of staff who are assigned with essential duties, shall come to work. Others are encouraged to work from home.
4.2.1.2 A roster shall be prepared by the Head of the Department considering the essential work that needs to be carried out.
4.2.1.3 Pay special attention to high risk groups (e.g., older age, presence of chronic medical conditions, immunocompromised conditions, pregnancy). Whenever possible, the frequency of such persons coming for work shall be limited.

4.2.2 Physical distancing
4.2.2.1 Arrange seating at all work stations and other places (meeting/conference rooms, meal rooms etc.) to have a minimum distance of one (01) metre (preferably two (02) metres) between two persons at all times.
4.2.2.2 It is recommended to mark points of one merte distance in a line where people may likely to gather for servicesin a queue (e.g. canteen, photocopy centers, ATM machines, hosting places, library etc.)
4.2.2.3 A minimum number of cleaning staff and security staff should work for a shift. Cleaning staff should come early morning to finish the job and those who have
finished their job should leave the premises as soon as they finish work, and only
those who are assigned with cleaning surfaces and toilets should remain till the end of the day.
4.2.2.4 There should be a minimum number of security personnel per gate. Non-essential entrances/exits should be closed.
4.2.2.5 Discourage meetings, gatherings and other events. Encourage to use internet based meetings/teleconferencing. If an in-person meeting is essential, minimize the number of attendees.
4.2.2.6 Restrict movement of staff between Departments/ Faculties. Advice the staff to minimize the of use common areas (e.g. canteen, common room, resting rooms etc.).

4.2.3 Traceability of workers / staff
4.2.3.1 All Departments shall maintain a work roster in order to trace any individual who
becomes sick with COVID-19.
4.2.3.2 All cleaning staff and security staff shall be traceable and the supervisors are
responsible for documenting and maintaining necessary information in a register.

4.2.4 Visitors
4.2.4.1 Minimize entry of visitors to the University. Unavoidable visits shall be of minimal length and the number of visitors per meeting shall be minimized.
4.2.4.2 All visitors shall practice hand hygiene at the entrance to the University buildings.
4.2.4.3 All visitors shall wear masks throughout the visit.

4.2.5 Checking temperature before entering the University
4.2.5.1 Temperature should be checked of all persons before entry in to the University premises.
4.2.5.2 Any staff member/ student/ visitor with fever shallnot be allowed to enter the
University.
4.2.5.3 If fever is detected in anyone, inform CMO (Chief Medical Officer) immediately and follow the referral plan 4.2.12.

4.2.6 Transportation facilities
If possible, transport facilities to staff members shall be provided. Walking to work and use of personal vehicles should be encouraged whenever possible.

4.2.7 Health education and training
4.2.7.1 Training of students and all staff categories (including cleaning and security staff) regarding infection prevention and control aspects can be carried out before/ just immediately after starting work. This can be done by either training of trainers or through e-learning methods.
4.2.7.2 A training guide on preventive measures shall be provided to all Heads of
Departments/ Centers.
4.2.7.3 The Head of the Department shall be responsible that all staff are conversant with preventive measures and that all facilities are available for hand washing/sanitizing, cleaning and disinfection.
4.2.7.4 Posters on proper hand washing/ rubbing technique shall be displayed at each hand washing/ sanitizing stations.
4.2.7.5 Posters on health promotion and information on COVID-19 shall be displayed in billboards/ signposts.

4.2.8 Cleaning and disinfection
4.2.8.1 Ensure regular housekeeping practices, including routine wiping/cleaning and
disinfecting of surfaces, equipment, and other items in the work environment are
maintained and that necessary facilities are provided for cleaning and disinfection
(Refer Annex 1).
4.2.8.2 Spraying/ fogging of disinfectants to outside environments (walkways, roads etc.) is not recommended. Outdoor areas generally need routine cleaning, especially to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
4.2.8.3 Spraying and fogging of disinfectants to indoor areas/ inside buildings is not
recommended.
4.2.8.4 Frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected using an appropriate disinfectant (Refer Annex 1).
4.2.8.5 Ensure that all cleaning staff are trained and supervised.

4.2.9 Precautions to minimize contact with frequently touched surfaces
4.2.9.1 Discourage the use of common telephones. The telephones that are used by more than one person should be cleaned regularly with disinfectants (Refer Annex 1).
4.2.9.2 Discourage staff/students from using other persons’ mobile phones, pens, books, stationary items, laboratory equipment and other common equipment /tools. If any equipment /object has been shared it must be cleaned with soap and water or with minimum 70% v/v alcohol based sanitizer.
4.2.9.3 Discourage sending letters, files and folders physically. Encourage to use electronic based methods (email etc.). Minimize situations where hard copies of documents are
essential. In such situations, avoid hand delivery. It is recommended to establish
collection boxes at offices.
4.2.9.4 Assure adequate supplies in the work stations to avoid sharing of items such as pens and other stationery.
4.2.9.5 Avoid touching frequently-touched surfaces (hand railings of staircases, door knobs, buttons of elevators etc.). The entrance doors and doors in between rooms can be kept open.
4.2.9.6 Encourage frequent hand washing (especially after touching surfaces).

4.2.10 Availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other consumables
4.2.10.1.1 The necessary PPE shall be made available to vulnerable staff/workers (ex. aprons, gloves, and masks for cleaning staff).
4.2.10.1.2 Staff shall wear masks at all times and adhere to proper guidelines on handling masks(Refer Annex 2).

4.2.10.1.3 All necessary consumables which are needed for hand hygiene and cleaning/ disinfection shall be supplied continuously.

4.2.11 Monitoring of preventive measures
4.2.11.1.1 The Registrar’s office shall be responsible for overall implementation of preventive measures.

4.2.11.1.2 The Public Health Inspector (PHI) shall actively participate in monitoring all control measures and availability of facilities.

4.2.11.1.3 A team of staff members shall be appointed to advise and support the PHI to monitor the activities.

4.2.11.1.4 PHI shallroutinely report on the progress of activities and shortcomings to the COVID-19 Response Committee.

4.2.12 Referral plan
4.2.12.1 Any person who becomes ill shall be reported to Head/ Department, Supervisor or Senior Assistant Registrar, and the University CMO. If a student becomes ill in hostels, the warden and the sub-warden shall be informed immediately.
4.2.12.2 Any person who is suspected to have COVID-19 shall wear a mask and be kept in isolation in a designated place until further action is taken by the UMO
4.2.12.3 Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the University should be contacted immediately after isolation and further medical advice should be sought (See number 11 below for further details).

5.1 Ensure a minimum distance of one (01) metre (preferably (02) metres) from each other at every occasion.
5.2 Engage in frequent hand washing, especially after touching frequently touched
surfaces. Always follow the correct steps of hand washing and hand hygiene. (Refer
training module).
5.3 Wear a mask. If surgical masks are worn they should be changed after 8 hours. If reusable cloth masks are worn, they should be washed in detergent/ soap and dried in direct sun. Follow precautions when using and disposing masks (Refer training module). It might be necessary to have more than one mask for daily use if there is a chance for contamination and soiling.
5.4 Follow respiratory etiquette at all times. Avoid smoking, betel chewing and spitting at the work place (Refer training module).
5.5 Be conversant with protocols and follow the instructions given by the administration and health officials.
5.6 Follow hygienic practices and protective behaviors (Refer training module).
5.7 Staff shall be encouraged to use self-provided hand sanitizers.
5.8 Staff shall try to avoid public transport as far as possible. Walk to the University if
within walking distance. Use personal vehicles whenever possible. If using public
transport adhere to the recommendations.

6.1 Use distance and online teaching/ learning methods as much as possible. Minimize face-to- face teaching/ learning sessions.
6.2 Face-face teaching should be started in staggered manner to avoid overcrowding inside the Faculty/University premises.
6.3 If face-to face teaching is conducted, maintaina distance of 1-
2metresbetweenstudentsand staffin all settings (lecture halls, tutorial rooms,
laboratories). Avoid any teaching/ learning/group activity requiring closeproximity.
6.4 Hand washing and sanitization facilities should be available at the entrance of the
lecture halls, tutorial/ seminar rooms, laboratories and examination halls.
6.5 All students and staff shall wear face masksduring teaching/ learning activities (Refer training module)
6.6 Discourage sharing stationery and equipment. If any item/ equipment has been shared it must be cleaned with soap and water or with minimum 70% v/v alcohol based sanitizer.
6.7 Doors and windows of enclosed learning spaces should be kept open throughout the teaching/ learning activities for proper ventilation.
6.8 During examinations, a minimum distance of one metre shall be maintained between two work stations inside the examination halls.
6.9 The cleaning and disinfection of the teaching/ learning areas shall be done according to the protocol (Refer Annex 1).

7.1 Training shall be provided to meal room/ canteen staff on food hygiene and COVID-19 prevention.
7.2 Encourage staff and students to consume home-made food as much as possible.
Encourage staff and students to bring their own water and beverages from home.
7.3 Meal breaks shall be given in group/ batch-wise manner to prevent crowding in the lunchrooms and canteens.
7.4 Where queues may assemble, take steps to maintain physical distancing (marking points at a distance of 1 metre on the floor)
7.5 Maintain a distance of 1-2 metres at all times in the canteen/ meal rooms.
7.6 Encourage the staff/ students to have their own food containers. Avoid sharing glasses, plates, cutlery and other utensils.
7.7 Meal/food/beverages should be served by dedicated persons in the canteen adopting precautionary methods (PPE, hand hygiene, use of tongs).
7.8 Customers should not be allowed to serve themselves.
7.9 Encourage providing take-away meals. Avoid serving in restaurant style.

8.1 Encourage use of online resources and references as much as possible and discourage the use of physical resources.
8.2 Expand the facilities for online access of reference books and other resources.
8.3 The reference section of the library shall be temporarily closed until further notice.
8.4 All staff/ students shall strictly follow hand hygiene with 70% alcohol at the entrance to the library
8.5 When requests are made for lending books, it is recommended that a library staff
member brings the required book/s to the counter after following strict hand
hygienepractises.
8.6 Library staff shall ensure thatstudents/ staff are maintaining a physical distance of at least 1 metrein the library premises.
8.7 Used/returned books by staff/ students should not be issued again until storing for at least 8 hours.
8.8 The staff of library shall be educated on infection prevention measures, especially the importance of hand hygiene when handling books.

10.1 The person shall be isolated in a designated room. This isolation room shall have a dedicated toilet.
10.2 Inform the Chief Medical Officer (CMO)of the University immediately.
10.3 If staying in hostels, inform the respective warden and the sub-warden immediately.
10.4 If the CMO decides that the student/ staff member needs investigation or
hospitalization, transfer to the closest hospital with investigation facilities. This shall
be arranged through Suwaseriya (1990) ambulance service. Before transferring the
patient, the hospital, Medical Officer of Health (MOH) and the Regional
Epidemiologist should be informed.

10.5 Important contact persons and numbers

University Medical Centre Tel: 0112903152 / 0112917707 Ext: 152,153
Health services Hotline: 1390
Suwasariya Ambulance service: 1990

10.6 The isolation room shall be decontaminated according to the protocol (Refer Annex 1)

9.1 Any student who has symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, a contact history with a
suspected or diagnosed person during the last 14 days or currently being quarantined
should not be accommodated in hostels.
9.2 Take all possible measures to avoid overcrowding in the hostels. Physical distancing has to be maintained in hostels.
9.3 Students are encouraged to use hostels and common areas minimally and, that too, only if essential.
9.4 A maximum of two (02) students are allowed to stay inside one hostel room at all
times. It is encouraged to keep the windows and inlets for ventilation open as much as possible.
9.5 Hand washing/ hygiene stations shall be made available at the entrances of each hostel building and in common areas used by students.
9.6 Students shall always wash hands before entering the hostel and University buildings (at least for 20 seconds following the correct steps of hand washing).
9.7 Students shall wash hands/ use alcohol hand rub frequently after touching frequently touched surfaces (Refer Annex 2)
9.8 Social distancing of a minimum 1-2 metres shall be maintained in all areas including common areas.
9.9 Students shall wear face masks in common areas of the hostel and University premises at all times.
9.10 Students shall maintain respiratory hygiene etiquette at all times.
9.11 Visitors shall not be allowed to enter the hostel premises.
9.12 Doors shall be kept open as much as possible in common areas in hostels and in the University premises.
9.13 Students who have chronic respiratory diseases (e.g. bronchial asthma, COPD) shall bring their own inhalers with/ without spacers and other medications.
9.14 Students can use the hostel canteen for meals. Obtaining food from external
commercial sources is strongly discouraged.
9.15 Different meal times shall be allocated for different hostel blocks to avoid
overcrowding in meal rooms and canteens.
9.16 Slippers/shoes worn outside maybe kept outside the room.
9.17 Health education material on prevention of COVID-19 shall be displayed in common areas in the hostel.
9.18 Cleaning and disinfection of hostel premises shall be done according to the protocol. (Refer Annex 1)