With the Movement Control Order taking effect, the Higher Education Ministry has suspended all forms of teaching and learning activities, including e-learning, in all public and private higher-learning institutions across Malaysia. 

“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, as reported by The Star. 

This would mean that all public and private universities, colleges and other tertiary education institutions will not conduct online teaching during this time. 

“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.”

The ministry's guidelines also stated that students who are staying in hostels or dormitories can either remain on campus or return to their hometowns respectively.

“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."

However, if students prefer to stay on campus, they must report to the management and are subject to abide by the movement control order at all times.

“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."

Furthermore, the guidelines state that all institutions are responsible for the students' safety and welfare throughout their stay on campus.

“Dining in cafeterias will not be an option. Cafeterias can carry on their operations only through food delivery and takeaway services."

The deputy director-general of the Higher Education Department, Prof Datuk Dr. Mohd Saleh Jaafar has issued a letter to all higher-learning institutions, urging all students, teachers and institution staff to abide by the guidelines of the ministry to control the spread of the COVID-19 disease.

“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.