Staff engagement on repealed COVID-19 regulations

Dear colleagues

As you are all aware, South Africa repealed COVID-19 regulations that made masks mandatory in indoor public spaces, limited the size of gatherings and imposed entry requirements at its borders, as announced by Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla on 23 June 2022.

For the University of Cape Town (UCT), this means that we are no longer restricted by regulations around the number of people who may be in indoor public spaces, including public transport such as the UCT Shuttle. We can resume working from campus; resume public gatherings that are so vital to campus life; and stop wearing face masks in classes, lectures, labs and meetings.

• Read the VC Desk: Adjusting to our new environment.

Given these recent developments, we understand that many of you may have questions regarding any other implications for on-campus operations because COVID-19 has not been eradicated. We have therefore arranged a staff engagement session to discuss and answer these.

I invite you to join me together with my colleagues Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, head of the Department of Medicine, and Dr Reno Morar, Chair of the UCT COVID-19 Co-ordinating Committee, at an information session where we will provide an update and endeavour to respond to your questions and concerns.

When: Friday, 1 July 2022
Time: 10:30–12:00
Platform: Microsoft Teams

• Please join the staff engagement (from 10:30 on Friday).

This session has been arranged at quite short notice because as soon as we became aware of the changes, we wanted to provide an opportunity to share the latest information with staff. I hope that many colleagues will still be able to join. A similar session will be arranged for students early in semester two.

On behalf of the leadership of UCT, I thank each of you for your diligence in helping to keep UCT as safe as possible during the height of the pandemic. It was difficult for all of us, but we learnt to persevere and be creative within the regulations.

Sincerely

Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng
Vice-Chancellor

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements