PETALING JAYA: The Higher Education Ministry has suspended all teaching and learning activities, including e-learning, in all public and private higher-learning institutions in the country.

“All teaching and learning activities including online learning, tests, student development activities and research must be suspended starting Mar 18 to 31, ” according to the ministry’s guidelines sighted by The Star.

The guidelines, issued on Tuesday night (March 18), also stated that students residing in hostels and dormitories provided by their respective institutions could choose to either stay or return home.

“Students can return to their hometown, homeland, or remain on campus.

"All students are responsible for taking appropriate precautions and preventing the spread of Covid-19.

“Students who choose to stay in campus facilities must report to their institution’s management and are subjected to the Malaysian National Security Council (NSC) movement control order which is in force at all times even within campus grounds, ” stated the guidelines.

It added that all institutions were responsible for students’ safety and welfare throughout their stay in campus facilities.

“All operations in public and private higher-learning institutions will be fully shut down.

"Only essential services such as water, electricity, energy, telecommunications, postal, transportation, broadcasting, banking, health, pharmacy, safety, cleaning, retail and food supply, are allowed to continue operations.”

“Dining in cafeterias will not be an option. Cafeterias can carry on their operations only through food delivery and takeaway services, ” the guidelines stated.

In a letter to higher-learning institutions, Higher Education Department deputy director-general Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Saleh Jaafar said all institutions were required to follow the guidelines strictly to avoid the spread of Covid-19.

“These guidelines are already in force.

"Please take action in accordance with the guidelines which are in line with the NSC’s movement control order, ” he said in the letter.