COVID-19 Updates

STEPPING DOWN OF SAFE MANAGEMENT MEASURES

1. With the COVID-19 situation stabilising, the Ministry of Health will be adjusting the Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) level from yellow to green from Monday, 13 February 2023. NUS will adopt the following revised measures to take effect from 13 February 2023, unless otherwise stated.

2. Mask-wearing
a. While mask-wearing is not required when travelling on NUS’ internal shuttle buses and public transportation on our campuses, staff and students are encouraged to continue exercising personal and social responsibility by wearing masks to protect themselves and others, especially in crowded places or interacting with vulnerable persons.
b. If unwell, staff and students should mask-up and minimise in-person interactions. They should also see a doctor if unwell, and self-isolate if they test positive for COVID-19.
c. Mask-wearing remains mandatory in the following settings:
i. In our healthcare facilities e.g. University Health Centre, University Counselling Services, clinics, in-patient and patient-facing sessions and environments.
ii. Masks must be worn by food handlers when working in canteens, food courts, dining halls, restaurants, food kiosks and carts. This includes food handlers manning the food and beverage stalls during organised events.

3. Declaration and Update of Vaccination Status
a. New staff and students are required to declare their vaccination status in uNivUS (refer to instructions A and B, MOH FAQ).
b. Staff and students should continue to update their vaccination status in uNivUS.

4. COVID-related features in uNivUS
a. Staff and students no longer need to upload and update their Fast and Easy Testing (FET) ART results, protocol declaration, and NUSafe Profile in uNivUS.
b. With the exception of Vaccination Status, all other COVID-related features in uNivUS will be disabled.

5. If you have further questions, please check with the management office of your faculty, school or department, or email COVID-19@nus.edu.sg (This email COVID-19@nus.edu.sg will be decommissioned on Fri 17 February 2023, 1700hr.)

University activities to resume

• As Singapore is transitioning to a new normal of living with COVID-19, university activities will resume.
• Students should expect to participate fully in university life and come back for face-to-face classes for all their modules. This excludes the lectures for courses in which instructors are developing Blended Learning as part of the university’s plan to create high-quality, integrated e-learning materials to enhance learning flexibility and effectiveness.
• Instructors are also no longer obligated to make video recordings of their classes or to set up hybrid arrangements. The university has discussed and explained the key considerations for this to the NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU) previously. Thus, if students are not able to attend classes due to valid reasons including COVID-19, they should discuss with their course instructor on the next steps.
• Students should continue to be responsible for their health and upload their self-administered Antigen Rapid Test (ART) to uNivUS, should they test positive for COVID-19.
  • If the first self-administered ART result is positive, students will be excused from classes (including lectures, tutorials and other academic activities) and assessment(s) from Days 1 to 7 inclusive, where Day 1 refers to the day that students first test positive.
  • If students are still COVID-19 positive from Day 8 onwards, they will need to upload a self-administered ART showing that they are still testing positive, to uNivUS. This will then serve as a valid excuse from classes and assessment(s).

• For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 Safe Management Measures and related NUS circulars, please visit emergency.nus.edu.sg

Face-to-face classes in AY2022/2023

• NUS Computing will be having maximal face-to-face classes for the coming academic year. As such, in-person attendance is expected for all NUS Computing modules (including lectures, tutorials, labs, exams and any other module components). Students who are overseas are expected to return to NUS for classes by the time the new semester starts.
• Exceptions may be considered only for individuals who are unable to attend classes in-person due to the prevailing regulations of the Singapore government.
• The timetables for AY2022/2023 will be published on https://nusmods.com/ or https://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/cugresource/soc-sched/ by mid to end June 2022.

COVID-19: Easing of Safe Management Measures

• In light of the easing of community Safe Management Measures (SMMs) in Singapore, all vaccinated NUS staff and students will not require a Fast and Easy Testing (FET) ART result to enter campus from Mon 4 April onwards. View the full version of the latest circular here.
• For the latest COVID-19 updates by NUS, please refer to https://emergency.nus.edu.sg
• For the latest updates by OSHE, please visit the Circulars list at https://emergency.nus.edu.sg/circulars/

Streamlining of Safe Management Measures

• FET requirements for all staff and students
  • All staff and students are still required to have a valid FET result before they are allowed on campus (see Circular 34/2021). The need for regular FET will be reviewed.
• Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS) on Campus 
  • All individuals (including visitors) entering NUS campuses will need to be:
    a) vaccinated, or
    b) have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 180 days, or
    c) medically ineligible for vaccination.
    It is the responsibility of the NUS host to ensure their visitors comply with VDS requirements. Individuals who are not in the above-mentioned three categories may be turned away.
• Mask-on classes, lectures, exams
  • All mask-on classes, lectures, exams and non-SSG funded Continuing Education and Training (CET) programmes can be conducted without any zoning or VDS requirements. Safe distancing is encouraged, but not required between individuals or groups. Classes may have up to 1,000 participants (inclusive of instructors and other staff on-site).
• Mask-off classes
  • Mask-off classes will continue to be capped at no more than 30 persons, including the trainer(s), with VDS. Classes involving mask-off activities are to be conducted in groups of no more than 5 persons, with strict 1m safe distancing between groups
• View the full version of the latest circular here
• For the latest COVID-19 updates by NUS, please refer to https://emergency.nus.edu.sg
• For the latest updates by OSHE, please visit the Circulars list at https://emergency.nus.edu.sg/circulars/

Face to Face Classes To Resume

In alignment with the national stance to return to normalcy as a COVID-19 resilient nation, the University intends to accelerate our technology-enhanced education trajectory, and resume face-to-face (F2F) classes wherever appropriate, to the extent allowed by prevailing Safe Management Measures.

As shared in our earlier announcement in October 2021, in-person attendance is expected for all NUS Computing modules with F2F classes and exams.

As international travel to Singapore is now possible, all international students are expected to attend classes in-person in Semester 2 of AY 2021/2022. Undergraduate students who are still overseas are required to make arrangements to travel to Singapore immediately.

Vending Machines for FET kits
For greater convenience and easier accessibility to FET kits, NUS has installed vending machines dispensing FET kits across Kent Ridge Campus. Staff and students are issued FET kits free of charge.

• You may locate the vending machines at:
  a. Central Forum – opposite Central Library main entrance
  b. Yusof Ishak House – Level 3, opposite OSA office
  c. Faculty of Science – LT 27 & LT 28 Foyer
  d. UTown ERC – at ERC roundabout (drop-off/pick-up point)
  e. UTown SRC – opposite the gym

For more information on how to get your FET kits from the vending machines, please refer to page 6 of Circular 36.
For more information on FET kits and the vending machines in general, please refer to Circular 36.

For the latest COVID-19 updates by NUS, please refer to https://emergency.nus.edu.sg/
For the latest updates by OSHE, please visit the Circulars list here.

Classes & Exams For AY 2021/2022, Semester Two
With the high vaccination rates in our NUS community, NUS Computing will be having maximal F2F classes for next semester with prevailing safe management measures.

In-person attendance is expected for all NUS Computing modules with F2F classes and exams.

For such modules, the online option will only be made available for students who are:

1. Serving Self isolation Orders issued by Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH), or Stay Home Notices issued by Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)
2. Affected by border controls that are listed on the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority’s (ICA) website
3. Facing travel restrictions imposed by governments (supporting documents from Local Officials are required)

If your situation does not belong to any of these categories, you are expected to attend classes and exams in person. 

Collection of FET Kits

Staff and students will be issued FET kits free of charge. The test kits can be collected at the following collection points till Thursday, 28 October 2021:

Collection Details:

Walk in anytime from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at any of the following collection points, till Thursday, 28 October 2021:

• Ventus Building (nearest to NUS Computing)
  Next to Reception Office
  Mon and Wed only

• University Town
  Visitor Centre, Stephen Riady Centre, Level 1 (next to Rock Climbing Wall)
  Tues and Thu only

• Yusof Ishak House
  Office of Student Affairs, Level 3
  Tues and Thu only

Staff and students who are vaccinated will be eligible to collect 1 box of 2 kits free of charge per week after having uploaded 2 test results.

Staff and students who are unvaccinated will be eligible to collect a maximum of 1 box of 2 test kits free of charge per week after having uploaded 4 test results onto uNivUS. They have to purchase the additional box of 2 kits at their own cost to complete the uploading of 4 test results, before they are eligible to collect the next 1 box of 2 test kits free of charge.

Staff and students who are unvaccinated due to medical reasons should visit University Health Centre (UHC) for a free medical consultation on their vaccination eligibility. If approved by the UHC doctor, you will be eligible to collect 1 box of 2 kits free of charge per week after having uploaded 2 test results.

Your eligibility to collect the kits will be indicated in your uNivUS app.

For more information on FET kit collections and testing, please read Circular 24 by the NUS Office of Safety, Health and Environment (OSHE).

For the latest COVID-19 updates by NUS, please refer to https://emergency.nus.edu.sg/

For the latest updates by OSHE, please visit the Circulars list here.

Collection of FET Kits

NUS students who are not staying in any of the NUS hostels may collect their FET kits at any of the collection points below. No appointments needed - simply walk into the collection points below.

Collection Details:

Walk in anytime from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays only, at any of the following collection points, till further notice.

• Yusof Ishak House
  Paris/Tokyo Room, next to Office of Student Affairs, Level 3
• Ventus Building (nearest to NUS Computing)
  Visitor Reception Office
• University Town 
  Visitor Centre, Stephen Riady Centre, Level 1 (next to Rock Climbing Wall)

For NUS students who are staying at NUS hostels, please collect your test kits from your respective Halls, RCs, and Residences ONLY. Do not collect your FET kits from other campus collection points.

Collection of FET Kits After Office Hours

Students who are unable to collect the FET kits during office hours, may collect them after office hours by booking a slot at www.bit.ly/NUSSUFET 

Collection Details:

Mon, Wed & Fri only, from 23 Aug - 17 Sep
7:00 - 9:00 PM
NUSSU Secretariat
#05-01 Yusof Ishak House
Lower Kent Ridge Road

Revised safe management measures (SMMs) on NUS campuses

Effective Mon 14 June 2021:

a. The social gathering group size will be increased from 2 persons to 5 persons. The number of social gatherings is limited to no more than two a day.

b. Face-to-face classes will remain capped at a maximum of 50 persons (including teaching staff) per venue, with prevailing SMMs implemented.

c. Working from home will remain as the default work arrangement until further notice. There is no change in work arrangements for academic staff and lab-based research staff.

Please view NUS Office of Safety, Health & Environment’s (OSHE) Circular 19 for more details.

COVID-19 vaccination for staff and students

As announced in the NUS Office of Safety, Health & Environment’s (OSHE) Circular 17 and Circular 18 respectively, the Ministry of Education has extended COVID-19 vaccination to NUS staff and students. Vaccination is a key enabler to protect ourselves and our loved ones against COVID-19, minimise transmission in the community and enable Singapore to re-open further, allow more social activities to resume, and facilitate the recovery of our economy.

We strongly encourage everyone to sign up for vaccination as soon as possible, if you are medically eligible:

a. Eligible students would have received an SMS invitation to book your vaccination. For students under the age of 18, SMSes have been sent to your parents or legal guardians instead as parental/guardian consent is required. If you have not received your SMS invitation, please log in with your NUSNET ID to https://forms.office.com/r/wm2TewKDR3 to update your Singapore-registered mobile number in our student records.

b. NUS staff under the age of 40 would have received an SMS invitation to book your vaccination. If you have not received your SMS invitation, please let us know at ohrbox5@nus.edu.sg

To avoid duplicate entries within the system, staff should not self-register again via www.vaccine.gov.sg if you have already booked your vaccination appointment under the MOE prioritisation exercise.

c. As announced on 10 June 2021, Singaporeans aged 12 to 39 years can register interest for vaccination via www.vaccine.gov.sg from 11 June 2021. We encourage Class of 2021 graduates to sign up for vaccination if they are medically eligible.

Please continue to observe all safe management measures on our campus, which include safe distancing, wearing of masks at all times, declaration of temperature through uNivUS, and the use of both TraceTogether and NUSafe app. If you are unwell, please be socially responsible and see a doctor immediately.

Tightened Safe Management Measures at NUS

On 14 May 2021, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce announced new tightened measures to arrest the increasing number of cases in the community. In response to these latest COVID-19 safe management measures, NUS will be implementing the following measures to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the community. These measures will take effect from Sunday, 16 May 2021 through Sunday, 13 June 2021. Please click here to read about the new measures.

SoC Plans For AY2020/2021, Semester 2

Zoning within campus will end on December 6. Furthermore, Singapore is likely to move into phase 3 sometime soon.

There will still be limits on how many students can be in one room, and the usage of masks and safe distancing is still required.

With this, we hope to have as many face-to-face classes as possible, if space permits. This would be mostly for smaller classes.

We will have online options for large classes, but smaller classes may no longer have online options. This would also apply to small group tutorials and labs. More details on this would be given as the start of the semester nears.

Thus, we hope that all international students will make plans to come back to campus for Semester 2 in AY 2020/21. Otherwise, they may not be able to take all their planned classes as some of these classes may not have online options at all.

Please look out for more email updates and stay tuned to this web page for any further information.

Provost’s Chair Professor Sanjay Jain
Vice Dean of Undergraduate Affairs and Academic Affairs
NUS Computing

Some students have been asking and are worried about whether e-learning options will be available throughout the semester.

Considering that the COVID-19 situation has not been improving in many parts of the world, we have decided to make e-learning options available throughout the semester for all NUS Computing modules. This includes lectures, tutorials, labs and exams.

However, if you are able to come to campus, we strongly encourage you to come to campus as face to face learning and interaction are a critical component of university learning.

Professor Mohan Kankanhalli
Dean
NUS Computing

Click here to read the full updates for 2 and 17 July 2020.