COVID-19 management 2022 and other updates

Dear colleagues and students

The University of Cape Town (UCT) has introduced a flexibility pilot on campus to ensure the safety of all students and staff as it returns to on-campus teaching. Read more on this and other updates below.

1. COVID-19 management 2022

The university has introduced a flexibility pilot across campus with the intention to optimise venue capacity and use. This is also to maximise on-campus teaching. Important elements of the pilot intervention include, relaxing of the 50% capacity limitation given that engineering controls, in the form of ventilation, are already in place in venues; reduction of the 1.5 m physical distancing requirement in venues to 1 m, and the provision of KN95 masks for each person in the venue as an added safety precaution.

Faculties need to ensure that all faculty managed spaces, including research and laboratory spaces, are marked out for 1 m distancing.

Staff and students are encouraged to continue observing basic health and safety protocols to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus, including physical distancing, wearing of masks, and hand hygiene.

• Read the COO Desk: COVID-19 management 2022.

2. Update on unfolding developments on UCT campuses

The 2022 academic year started on Monday 14 February with many more staff and students accessing campus. Unfortunately, there have been some disruptions as a result of protest activity. The university leadership has worked closely with students to resolve the issues raised.

• Read the VC Desk: Update on teaching and learning.
• Read the VC Desk: Update on unfolding developments on UCT campuses.
• Read the VC Desk: UCT lectures start on Monday, 14 February 2022.

3. Temporary closure of Ivan Toms Building and Student Wellness Service Main Clinic

Students and staff are reminded that the Ivan Toms Building precinct, which houses the Student Wellness Service (SWS) Main Clinic, is still closed due to construction work from 11 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. Limited medical services are currently provided at the Upper Campus Clinic in the Steve Biko Students Union Building. Other services remain available via alternative avenues. SWS apologises for any inconvenience caused during the period.

• Read more on the closure and how to access services.

4. Parking discs for 2022

As activities continue to resume on UCT campuses, permanent parking discs will be available to purchase from Monday, 28 February 2022. These will be valid from 1 April to 31 December 2022. All staff and students who wish to park on any university campus must obtain a parking disc from the Traffic Administration office.

Those with 2020 parking discs can continue to display their parking discs while those without one may visit the Traffic Administration office to obtain a temporary complimentary disc. Both the 2020 parking disc and the temporary complimentary disc are only valid until 31 March 2022.

Please note there are restrictions on which bays you may park in and failure to display a renewed parking disc on a vehicle will result in a fine. Please consult the campus parking webpage for more information or the introduction to transport and parking webpage for more information on transportation options.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements