Update on SPU COVID-19 health and safety protocols at Alert Level 2

Dear SPU Community

Following the announcement on Sunday, 12 September 2021, by President Cyril Ramaphosa, that the country was moved down to Alert Level 2, we have adjusted some of our health and safety protocols on campus. The following will be in place for at least the next two weeks, after which a further pronouncement is expected on the national alert level:

Academic Programme

1. The academic programme will continue online as per the academic calendar which was approved by Senate in May 2021.
2. Academic staff will be permitted to work from home if they prefer to do so, but should be available to work from their offices on campus when required by their HOS/HOD to do so.
3. Practical or laboratory work will be permitted under strict health and safety directives.
4. Physical study groups are not permitted.
5. Students who want to study in a group can only do so via MS Teams.
6. Use of the University Library for study purposes will be allowed in line with the curfew times.

Residential Students

1. Students who are physically here will remain in their allocated campus residences.
2. The University curfew will be in effect from 22:00 to 07:00 until further notice.
3. No visitors will be allowed into any residence or on campus unless prior arrangements are made.
4. Students will not be allowed to visit each other in their rooms.
5. At the Moroka Hall of Residence and Ra-Thaga Hall of Residence the mealtimes will continue to be staggered.
6. The booking of meals via the Self-Service Meal Management System is compulsory: NO BOOKING MEANS NO ACCESS TO THE DINING HALLS.
7. The smoking of hubbly bubbly / hookah pipes is not permitted on university premises.
8. Gatherings and events are allowed subject to prior arrangement with the Director of Facilities and Services.
9. All student related gatherings and/or events must be arranged through the Student Affairs Division.
10. Any student who contravenes the COVID-19 health and safety protocols and regulations will be subject to disciplinary action and will have to return home immediately.

University Administration

1. Face to face meetings on campus are prohibited. Permission must be obtained from the COVID-19 Compliance Officer ([email protected]) to hold any face-to-face meetings.
2. Staff over 60 and those with co-morbidities may work from home.
3. Staff from levels P1 to P8 will return to work from the 20 September 2021, unless special arrangements are made with the relevant Line Managers.
4. Until further notice, employees working on a rotational basis will continue to do so.
5. Line Managers must ensure that all staff are satisfactorily fulfilling their duties if they are working remotely and can request that staff return to the office in line with operational requirements.
6. When staff work remotely, they are expected to be contactable and available during office hours and to answer all SPU originating calls.

Kind regards

Professor Andrew M Crouch

Vice-Chancellor and Principal