Work Arrangements
From Task Force on Body Temperature Screening on Campus
In the current COVID-19 epidemic, all persons with fever or respiratory symptoms should refrain from coming to campus. Early detection of fever and respiratory symptoms is therefore useful in minimizing the risk of spreading the disease in the University community.
In line with the guidelines of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), staff and students are advised to measure their own body temperature before they come to campus. They should not come to or stay in the campus if they find themselves with fever or respiratory symptoms. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Besides asking for the co-operation of staff and students in self-screening, the University also asks Faculties/Departments/Centres/Units (FDCU) to implement the following body temperature screening initiatives to reduce the overall risk to the University community.
Receptions, Counters, Residential Colleges and Halls
Whenever possible, one or more non-contact Infrared thermometers should be kept at public receptions and counters, and be used to take body temperature of those who come to obtain services. Persons who are found to have fever should be advised to leave and seek medical attention.
Because of the potential close social contacts among students in resident colleges and halls, all persons entering a college/hall should have their body temperature taken at the entrance counter. Persons who are found to have fever should not be allowed entry and be advised to seek medical attention.
Libraries and Learning Commons
Students and staff can be present in these areas in high densities for long periods of time. There is therefore a special need for strict body temperature screening of those who use these facilities. Body temperature screening should be implemented at the entrances of these facilities by non-contact Infrared thermometers. Where high traffic flow is expected, Infrared Thermal Imaging Stations backed up by non-contact thermometers may be employed to avoid having large crowds queuing up at the entrance. Persons detected to have fever should not be allowed entry and be advised to seek medical attention.
Catering Outlets
Catering outlets are areas where people not protected by masks can be exposed to risk. Effective strategies of body temperature screening for staff and customers should be implemented by the caterer at the entrance.
Special Events
While large-scale events are not advisable during the current epidemic, some special events may still be held on campus. The event organizer should assess the public health risk of the event and decide on the most appropriate body temperature screening method. Depending on the scale and nature of the event, self-screening, forehead temperature measurement, Infrared Thermal Imaging or a combination of them may be employed.
Contractors and Visitors
The relevant FDCU responsible for such persons should clearly relate to them the University protocol that persons with fever or respiratory symptoms should not come to or stay in the campus.
FDCU should acquire the required equipment for body temperature screening that is most appropriate to their needs. However, in order to facilitate the various initiatives, the Task Force on Infectious Diseases has centrally acquired a limited number of non-contact Infrared thermometers that can be made available at cost to FDCU who do not already have one or cannot get hold of one on the market. The request form should be completed and returned to the Task Force by return email by March 18 (Wednesday) if FDCU would like to acquire one or more thermometers from the central stock.
Task Force on Infectious Diseases
(Posted on March 13, 2020)