Covid 19 Update 47 - Preparing to return to campus under Lockdown Level 1
- Wits University
The Senior Executive Team (SET) met this week and agreed in principle to the coordinated return of more students and staff to our campuses from 5 October 2020.
In order to protect staff and students, this will happen in a controlled manner, under strict conditions, in line with level 1 lockdown regulations and the University’s COVID-19 policies and protocols.
Consultation with the relevant internal stakeholders is underway, in order to ensure that all health and safety protocols are in place, and to determine which cohorts of students and staff should return to our campuses and residences. A further communique will be sent out next week, detailing these decisions (including specific plans for international students). In the interim, the academic programme continues online. For now, students should only return if invited to do so by their respective faculties or the Dean of Student Affairs. Staff members must return if requested to do so by their line managers.
Update on student and staff infections
Three students reported testing positive for COVID-19 during the past week. This is out of a population comprising of approximately 37 500 students. Affected students are self-isolating in line with governmental directives and University protocols.
|
18 – 25 Sep |
22 June – 25 Sep |
|
Staff |
0 |
104 |
|
Students |
3 |
190 |
#JerusalemaChallenge
A huge shout out to all the Wits students (and the vice-chancellor) who heeded the President’s call to participate in the #JerusalemaChallenge and who used the opportunity to speak out against gender based harm. There were several other Wits departments that took up the challenge, including staff and students at the Wits Rural Campus, the Wits Paediatric Fund, the Wits Reproductive and HIV Research Unit, and many Witsies serving at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital and other clinics and facilities.
Thank you to all the students and staff who participated in the #ShowYourRoots Campaign. Check out the fabulous images and videos on the Wits Facebook and Instagram pages.
Look out for emails detailing the level 1 return to campus plan.
SENIOR EXECUTIVE TEAM
25 SEPTEMBER 2020