Dear colleagues and students
The third wave of COVID-19 is causing an alarming rise in cases across South Africa and in the Western Cape. We want every member of the University of Cape Town (UCT) community to know what to do if:
If you are showing COVID-19 symptoms and have been advised by a health practitioner to be tested for the virus:
If as a staff member you are worried about how COVID-19 might affect your medical leave balance:
If you are eligible for a vaccination and would like to get one:
If you are unsure of your medical history or have any questions about getting the COVID-19 vaccine:
Everyone who is receiving the vaccine needs to ensure that they:
UCT’s Community of Hope Vaccination Centre at the Forest Hills residence complex will be operational as of 1 September 2021. We are partnering with the Western Cape Department of Health to vaccinate eligible members of the public and all eligible UCT staff and students. From 1 September 2021, anyone who is at least 18 years old will be able to be vaccinated.
Individual personal behaviour remains an important factor in preventing the spread of the virus.
As a community that cares for each other and our families and friends, we need to each take individual responsibility to help prevent a significant rise in COVID-19 infections. Please continue to take the necessary precautions:
The pandemic has raised some unusual issues for everyone around the world. UCT is working to develop ways to help you through these issues, so please share your questions and concerns:
UCT’s highest priority is your health and safety and that of your loved ones. Please do all you can to keep yourself and others well.
Sincerely
Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng
Vice-Chancellor
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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Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, has in June 2022 repealed some of South Africa’s remaining COVID-19 regulations: namely, sections 16A, 16B and 16C of the Regulations Relating to the Surveillance and the Control of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.
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 PhakengWith 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.
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.