Rhodes University records new COVID-19 positive cases
“You may never know what results come of your actions, but if you do nothing, there will be no results”- Mahatma Gandhi.
Since the 25th of January 2021, Rhodes University has recorded four (4) positive cases of COVID-19, with one staff member and three students testing positive. To date, a total of seven (7) staff members have passed away due to COVID-19 complications. The University would like to express heartfelt condolences to their friends, colleagues and families.
The University has put up COVID-19 posters around the campus, sanitising stations and social distance stickers in all areas where there are reasonable amounts of foot traffic. Staff and students are encouraged to keep following the regulations to curb the spread of COVID-19.
VACCINATION
With flu season upon us and the threat of a possible third wave, staff members are encouraged to register on the vaccination database as soon as possible. Registration is voluntary and must not be seen as an automatic selection for vaccination but as an indication of numbers, should additional vaccines become available. Following the suspension of the vaccination process by Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize earlier this week, the portal will open again today. For registration and further information, please see https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za/#/.
Managers and supervisors are requested to assist staff that want to register but do not have electronic access.
FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS
With more easing of lockdown levels, the University can now permit a limited number of face-to-face meetings and activities on campus. To this end, strict guidelines and protocols have been designed in line with the regulations of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to ensure the health and safety of staff, students, local community and visitors and to minimise the spread of COVID-19 when using the University’s venues. Face-to-face activities will only be permitted where it is absolutely necessary that people gather in the same space, and there are no other viable modalities of achieving the intended outcome(s) of the gathering.
The protocol offers a set of principles that should guide the development of risk-controlled plans for limited face-to-face activities to be submitted by departments and divisions. An application form has been developed to ensure that critical information is provided to the Coronavirus Response Sub-Committee assigned to evaluate and approve requests for face-to-face activities.
The application form for face-to-face activities and events should be completed by everyone requesting permission for face-to-face activities and events. This form will allow members of the Rhodes University community to motivate for the face-to-face activities which are absolutely necessary and will ensure that the organisers have addressed health and safety measures that should be put in place when using University venue(s). Plans and complete forms should be submitted to the Coronavirus Response Task Team Chair at least 3 to 5 days before the event at Covidmeetingpermission@ru.ac.za for review and approval.
The protocol and application form can be accessed from /humanresources/
Issued by the Communications and Advancement Division on behalf of Rhodes University.