Leaving UTP for one last time
The more than 50 days quarantine in UTP experience was unforgettable.
It has been one month since I left UTP. Time just passed so fast. Throughout my time in UTP, I did my presentation for Final Year Project II and Plant Design Project II. Eventually, I did my extended assignment for Polymer Process Engineering, Gas Process Engineering and Engineers in Societies. After finishing the course, I am unofficially graduated from UTP and officially unemployed.
Throughout the quarantine period in UTP, I shared a lot of good memories with my classmates that didn’t go back home. We played Monopoly cards, ate together, worked together to solve problems, collected food from Village 4 room, such as snacks, tuna, water, etc. We even have UTP e-coupon worth RM15 per day which we use it to the brim by buying food and drinks in UTP. Thanks to UTP for lifting the financial burden of our shoulders.
I took some photos with my friends before going back home. Quite a memorable time in UTP.
I and the Sarawakians in UTP took a chartered flight sponsored by the Sarawakian government back to Kuching, Sarawak. After staying in UTP for more than 50 days, it felt great but also sad because I am leaving UTP which gives me a lot of unforgettable memories.
Going back to Kuching, Sarawak
I headed to Main Hall, where I had some hand sanitizer on my hand. We were there for a briefing on our journey home.
Our luggage was desanitized by the firefighter and we were told on which bus number to take. We had some food given for the night. As the bus left UTP to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), the feeling that this is the way that I am going back home is so surreal and unexpected.
The bus arrived at KLIA at 6 am the next day. We disembarked and headed for check-in section where we got our boarding pass.
The flight was postponed to 10.30 am and it took off and arrived at Kuching at 12pm. Inside the plane, I have eaten the healthiest food since the beginning of the Movement Control Order (MCO). I really missed the sandwich so much.
To enter Sarawak, I have to fill in the health declaration form, which records if I have any symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat. Additional questions are whether I have been outside Malaysia in the last 14 days etc.
Upon landing in Sarawak, we have digital tracking wristbands placed on our hand, where it must be placed for 14 days. I tracked my location at 8 am and 8 pm for 14 days. Home quarantine is compulsory during this period.
One week later, I took the RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction)swab test to test for COVID-19 which is borne by the government. Basically, the swab is inserted into my nose and my throat. Spoiler alert: It is uncomfortable. I tested negative for COVID-19, but it is positive for joblessness. Sigh reality.
RT-PCR is described in the video below, for those who are interested to know more.
After quarantine is over
Quarantine finally came to an end and I was busy job-hunting, learning new courses such as data science, updating my CV, and so on. Can’t wait to get a haircut this Tuesday (June 9) and most importantly, a job. Hope to meet some of my UTP friends in the near future.
For unemployed Malaysians, you can sign up on MDEC to redeem free Coursera access:
Here is the update for the COVID-19 cases in Sarawak and Malaysia respectively for today (June 7). By the way, today, the Malaysian Prime Minister just announced that Malaysia is moving into Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) from June 10 — August 31, which allows interstate travels, haircuts, and many more activities. Let’s hope that everything goes well. Eliminate the COVID-19 transmission and make the vaccine no longer an Error 404 thing.
