Dear colleagues
The Remote Connectivity Policy was formulated to ensure business continuity in response to the need for remote working in March 2020. It was an interim policy, as the focus was on ensuring staff were operationally productive for the duration of the forced remote working, and that additional data costs required were compensated.
At the time, no one expected this to last for over a year and a review of the policy is opportune given what we know now.
The basis of the initial policy was that additional data costs were to be reimbursed to staff members who incurred them. As such, there were three data categories – those who already had adequate connectivity at home; those who had a device but inadequate data; and those who had neither a device nor data. These categories have been merged in the updated policy.
With the extension of this remote working period, and more reasonably priced data deals, the University of Cape Town executive has agreed to give staff who require remote connectivity as part of their job functions a R700 per month Remote Work Allowance (RWA). As technologies merge, the introduction of the RWA will also include a review of current cell phone allowances.
Staff will be responsible for obtaining the most cost-effective connectivity device and data package available in their personal capacities. In addition, staff will be required to have a backup plan in the event of load shedding to prevent business disruption at critical times.
The transition to RWA was effective from 1 August 2021, with those job functions requiring it receiving a R700 per month allowance. The alignment to previous categories is as follows:
Line managers will need to manage the transition for staff in their area, in consultation with their HR Business Practitioners.
The updated interim Remote Connectivity Policy has details on how to initiate the changes.
The university thanks staff members for their constant striving to keep UCT operational during these remote working and uncertain times.
Communication and Marketing Department
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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.