COVID-19: Update on mass gatherings, graduation and travel

13 March 2020 | From Kgethi

Dear students and colleagues

In line with national and international information, the University of Cape Town (UCT) executive is taking the threat of the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) very seriously. UCT’s COVID-19 Coordinating Committee (CCC) in particular has been monitoring reports from health agencies such as the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) about the need for social distancing and limiting mass gatherings. With these reports in mind, we have been:

  • reviewing plans for all large events and mass gatherings, whether hosted by UCT or by external service providers
  • reassessing travel and events, such as conferences and symposiums
  • considering different ways to continue teaching and learning at UCT while limiting the risk of spreading infection.

With this in mind, the university leadership has taken the decision to postpone the installation of our chancellor on Monday, 16 March, and to suspend the March graduation ceremonies, which were scheduled to start on Thursday, 19 March. Meanwhile, the Registrar’s Office will send details to graduands about how they can receive their graduation certificates.

As deeply important as these events are for the campus community, it is much more important that we take responsible decisions that will help to avoid the spread of COVID-19. We have not taken this decision lightly. We understand the disappointment this will create, and that it disrupts the plans of many people who were looking forward to celebrating these important occasions.

In making this decision, we considered not only the risk of bringing thousands of people into close contact in Sarah Baartman Hall, but also the risk faced by those travelling to Cape Town for these events. We believe it is the responsible decision to protect the campus community and to limit the possibility of the spread of the virus into the general population.

The university leadership has also agreed to cancel or postpone any UCT-related conferences and events until the end of June 2020. We will review this decision if necessary. We are also engaging with external service providers and event organisers about scheduled events for our campus and considering alternative options.

In line with a number of other organisations, we have made the decision to suspend the approval of any university-related international travel until the end of June 2020.

The CCC and the executive are meeting frequently to discuss how UCT can best respond to the pandemic while we continue with the academic programme. We are committed to the success of our students as well as to the health and well-being of all community members. We are considering different ways that we can continue teaching and learning at UCT while limiting the risk of spreading infection. We expect to make an announcement next week about how we will proceed with the academic project during this vulnerable time for our nation’s health.

We are very aware of the concerns of many of you about the possibility of infection through contact with other people in residences, libraries, lecture halls and other places on campus. I urge each of you to continue to follow the hygiene precautions that have been provided in previous communications:

  • wash your hands regularly with soap and water
  • regularly use an alcohol-based (≥60% alcohol) hand sanitiser
  • cover your mouth (using a tissue or your elbow) when coughing or sneezing
  • place used tissues directly into the bin, and wash your hands immediately afterwards
  • increasingly clean all surfaces that are frequently touched using normal cleaning products
  • avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • stay at home if you feel sick and contact your doctor or the Student Wellness Service.

Please regularly check the UCT Coronavirus Disease 2019 web page, which is being updated on a daily basis. Please also note these important telephone numbers:

  • NICD hotline 0800 029 999
  • Independent Counselling and Advisory Services (ICAS) 0800 111 3945 (a toll-free line available to UCT staff and their family members 24 hours a day)
  • UCT Student Wellness Service 021 650 5620 or 021 650 1271 (after hours)
  • UCT staff help line 021 650 5685.

One of the most important phrases used by the World Health Organization in advising the public on how to respond to the pandemic is: “Be Kind.” There have been some reports about discriminatory behaviour, including fake news on social media about individuals being infected with the virus and cruel jokes directed at various groups identified as potential carriers of COVID-19. The fact is, we are all potential carriers if we come into contact with the virus.

Compassion and kindness are as essential as good hygiene in this global crisis.

I encourage you to make UCT a place where these three practices all thrive.

Sincerely

Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng
Vice-Chancellor


Updates will be posted on UCT’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 feature page on the UCT News website.


Read previous communications:


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UCT’s response to COVID-19

COVID-19 is a global pandemic that caused President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare a national disaster in South Africa on 15 March 2020 and to implement a national lockdown from 26 March 2020. UCT is taking the threat of infection in our university community extremely seriously, and this page will be updated with the latest COVID-19 information. Please note that the information on this page is subject to change depending on current lockdown regulations.

Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, has in June 2022 repealed some of South Africa’s remaining COVID-19 regulations: namely, sections 16A, 16B and 16C of the Regulations Relating to the Surveillance and the Control of Notifiable Medical Conditions under the National Health Act. We are now no longer required to wear masks or limit gatherings. Venue restrictions and checks for travellers coming into South Africa have now also been removed.

In July 2022, the University of Cape Town (UCT) revised its approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic on UCT campuses in 2022.
Read the latest document available on the UCT policies web page.

 

Campus communications

 
2022

Adjusting to our new environment 16:50, 23 June 2022
VC Open Lecture and other updates 17:04, 13 April 2022
Feedback from UCT Council meeting of 12 March 2022 09:45, 18 March 2022
UCT Council
March 2022 graduation celebration 16:45, 8 March 2022
Report on the meeting of UCT Council of 21 February 2022 19:30, 21 February 2022
UCT Council
COVID-19 management 2022 11:55, 14 February 2022
Return to campus arrangements 2022 11:15, 4 February 2022

UCT Community of Hope Vaccination Centre

On Wednesday, 20 July, staff from the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Faculty of Health Sciences came together with representatives from the Western Cape Government at the UCT Community of Hope Vaccination Centre at Forest Hill Residence to acknowledge the centre’s significance in the fight against COVID-19 and to thank its staff for their contributions. The centre opened on 1 September 2021 with the aim of providing quality vaccination services to UCT staff, students and the nearby communities, as well as to create an opportunity for medical students from the Faculty of Health Sciences to gain practical public health skills. The vaccination centre ceased operations on Friday, 29 July 2022.

With the closure of the UCT Community of Hope Vaccination Centre, if you still require access to a COVID-19 vaccination site please visit the CovidComms SA website to find an alternative.

 

“After almost a year of operation, the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Community of Hope Vaccination Centre, located at the Forest Hill residence complex in Mowbray, will close on Friday, 29 July 2022. I am extremely grateful and proud of all staff, students and everyone involved in this important project.”
– Vice-Chancellor Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng

With the closure of the UCT Community of Hope Vaccination Centre, if you still require access to a COVID-19 vaccination site please visit the CovidComms SA website to find an alternative.


Thank You UCT Community

Frequently asked questions

 

Global Citizen Asks: Are COVID-19 Vaccines Safe & Effective?

UCT’s Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM) collaborated with Global Citizen, speaking to trusted experts to dispel vaccine misinformation.



If you have further questions about the COVID-19 vaccine check out the FAQ produced by the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF). The DTHF has developed a dedicated chat function where you can ask your vaccine-related questions on the bottom right hand corner of the website.

IDM YouTube channel | IDM website
 

 

“As a contact university, we look forward to readjusting our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in 2023 as the COVID-19 regulations have been repealed.”
– Prof Harsha Kathard, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning

We are continuing to monitor the situation and we will be updating the UCT community regularly – as and when there are further updates. If you are concerned or need more information, students can contact the Student Wellness Service on 021 650 5620 or 021 650 1271 (after hours), while staff can contact 021 650 5685.

 

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