Durban - The lowering of lockdown restrictions, has seen more sectors of the economy opening up for business. The move to level 1 also sees the resumption of lectures and most learning institutions around the country.
Acting executive director of Corporate Relations at UKZN, Normah Zondo, said students have been invited to return to campus within the existing Covid-19 protocols of physical distancing, sanitising measures and restrictions on large gatherings as well as residence capacity constraints.
"Safety and protection of staff and students remain paramount as the virus is still active within the country. We have gone to considerable lengths to ensure the health and safety of those who have been permitted to return to campus over the past several months, including those whose degrees depend on laboratory and clinical work - and we are confident that an expansion of these measures will also serve the entire UKZN community upon its return to our campuses," she said.
The following principles apply at UKZN:
- Staff members who have underlying health conditions (as certified by a medical practitioner) or who are 60 years or older should continue to work from home. Visits to campus by these staff members should only occur under exceptional circumstances and under strict precautionary health measures. The provision is temporary pending the review by the Management;
- Online learning will be the primary mode of learning and teaching for the remainder of the 2020 academic year, with the exception of controlled laboratory/practical sessions;
- There will be no contact lectures during semester 2 of 2020, and continuous assessment will still prevail in the majority of modules;
- Students are encouraged to continue to study from home, where possible;
- Students will be invited to return to campus following the same process that applied at previous levels – an invitation is however not an obligation to return;
- All Colleges and Divisions will have a presence on campus by rotation of staff;
- A permit to access campus and a green report on the COVID-19 self-screening are still required for any student or staff member who needs to be on campus for legitimate reasons;
- The Spring Graduation Ceremony on October 30, 2020, will be a virtual ceremony;
- 2021 academic registration will be online for all students, including all academic, curriculum and/or personal counselling required prior to registration as well as obtaining financial clearance.
Zondo said all students and staff are strongly encouraged to maintain current health precautions and adhere strictly to the Covid-19 protocols as more sectors of the economy are opened.
“Everyone will be inconvenienced to some degree, and we will all need to demonstrate the highest level of social solidarity and patience. We can make this work only if everyone of us is committed to ensuring our mutual health and safety,” she said.
The Mercury