UNIMALNEWS | Lhokseumawe – Coronavirus Disease 2019 or Covid-19 has become a pandemic that is threatening the global public health including in North Aceh and Lhokseumawe. Based on the latest updates from Worldometer, there are currently 787,225 confirmed cases and 37,843 deaths worldwide from the Covid-19 outbreak.

Related to efforts to mitigate and prevent the spread of Covid-19, Universitas Malikussaleh (Unimal) distributed hand sanitizers to the villages nearby. The sanitizers were produced at the Unimal’s Chemical Engineering Laboratory. Initially, the product was made for internal use and distributed for faculties in Unimal. However, since Unimal has extended the online learning process and staff are asked to work from home, then it is decided that the hand sanitizers to be distributed to several villages closest to the campus.

The hand sanitizers were donated to Gampong Uteungkot, Padang Sakti, Reuleut Timur, Reuleut Barat, Cot Keumuneng, and Lancang Garam. Unimalnews observed that the villages have not received any hygiene products such as antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer. It is expected that the hand sanitizers distributed by Unimal can be used by the villagers as one way to prevent the spread of germs amid the outbreak of Covid-19.    

The hand sanitizers will be placed in the meunasah as the community center "So for residents who want to pray at meunasah and then they shake hands, using hand sanitizer can help protect themselves and others from the virus," said the head of Public Relations and External Relations Unit of Unimal, Teuku Kemal Fasya who was on sites during the distribution of the aid.

In response to the outbreak of Covid-19 in North Aceh and Lhokseumawe, Unimal has also been taking part in health literacy and set up the Covid-19 Task Force.[kur]