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Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng recently wrote to the university community about the role that each of us can play in limiting the spread of COVID-19 as we move to lockdown Level 1.
As students and staff members begin to return to campus, there is a natural tendency to assume that life at the University of Cape Town (UCT) has returned to normal – that is not the case.
It is important that we use every available opportunity to remind people how critical it is to follow the three basic protocols of wearing a face mask, social and physical distancing and washing/sanitising hands and surfaces.
Please refer to the UCT health and safety protocols and procedures document, which provides useful information about returning to campus.
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The University of Cape Town (UCT) writes to inform staff and students that its top priority is the health and safety of every person who enters campus property. For this reason, only those who have received written invitations or letters of authorisation may return.
We all need to follow the basic rules for reducing the chance of spreading infection:
Everyone who returns to campus at this time will need to observe all public health and safety protocols.
Catering operations will resume from 1 October for students in residences who have meal plan options. Students undergoing compulsory quarantine can collect daily meal packs at a designated point within their residences. Students will only be allowed in the dining halls after they have completed their compulsory quarantine and must comply with the dining hall protocols.
Cleaning materials and refuse bags will be provided to residence students to freshen up their rooms and dispose of refuse. Students will remain responsible for their room hygiene.
In an effort to prevent persons who may be infected with COVID-19 from entering the university and transmitting the infection, Campus Protection Services colleagues are under strict instruction to check all people coming onto campus. You must complete a daily COVID-19 symptom checklist using the Higher Health app.
You must be able to show the Green result of the Higher Health app every day, along with your letter of authorisation.
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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 and implement a national lockdown from 26 March.
UCT is taking the threat of infection in our university community extremely seriously, and this page will be updated regularly with the latest COVID-19 information.
Getting credible, evidence-based, accessible information and recommendations relating to COVID-19
The Department of Medicine at the University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, are producing educational video material for use on digital platforms and in multiple languages. The information contained in these videos is authenticated and endorsed by the team of experts based in the Department of Medicine. Many of the recommendations are based on current best evidence and are aligned to provincial, national and international guidelines. For more information on UCT’s Department of Medicine, please visit the website.
To watch more videos like these, visit the Department of Medicine’s YouTube channel.
As the COVID-19 crisis drags on and evolves, civil society groups are responding to growing and diversifying needs – just when access to resources is becoming more insecure, writes UCT’s Prof Ralph Hamann.
03 Jul 2020 - 6 min read RepublishedThe Covid-19 crisis has reinforced the global consequences of fragmented, inadequate and inequitable healthcare systems and the damage caused by hesitant and poorly communicated responses.
24 Jun 2020 - >10 min read OpinionOur scientists must not practise in isolation, but be encouraged to be creative and increase our knowledge of the needs of developing economies, write Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, vice-chancellor of UCT, and Professor Thokozani Majozi from the University of the Witwatersrand.
09 Jun 2020 - 6 min read RepublishedSouth Africa has been recognised globally for its success in flattening the curve, which came as a result of President Ramaphosa responding quickly to the crisis, writes Prof Alan Hirsch.
28 Apr 2020 - 6 min read RepublishedIn an email to the UCT community, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng said:
“COVID-19, caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, is a rapidly changing epidemic. [...] Information [...] will be updated as and when new information becomes available.”
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.