This is in line with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulation published on 29 April 2020, subsequent guidance on vulnerable employees and workplace accommodation (25 May 2020) and a directive from the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation (4 June 2020) as an employer in the education sector to this end.

These new measures are beyond normal workplace risk control rulings for staff members and are among many other safety regulations now in place to prevent further spread of the virus on the University’s campuses.

Vulnerable Staff Members

As per the regulations, there are two categories of vulnerable employees:

• Those over the age of 60, and
• Those with comorbidities (underlying, pre-existing medical conditions).

Research to date shows that vulnerable employees are not more susceptible to contracting the virus, than any other employee, but their reaction, once they are infected by the virus, may be more severe. Hence the need for special measures.

Comorbidities

Diabetes, hypertension and cancer are among such medical conditions found to cause patients to be more vulnerable to the pandemic, but there are many more. A full list of the identified comorbidities is attached.

While staff members do not need to identify which comorbidity they have, all staff members must declare if they have a comorbidity or not.

If any staff member is unsure whether their illness constitutes a comorbidity, they are requested to approach their family doctor. Alternatively, their medical aid, which keeps a record of your medical history, will suffice in offering the required official documentation. As such, staff members should present a certificate/letter from their family doctor to their HR Service Partner confirming a listed comorbidity.

Declaration 

Kindly note if you have already completed the manual form and submitted it to your HR Service Partner, you do not need to complete the online form below. But all other Nelson Mandela University staff, regardless of health or age, must complete the online declaration form below:

COVID-19 Medical Declaration Form

Right to privacy

While the University acknowledges and respects all staff members’ right to privacy, please, in turn, recognise and understand the obligation imposed on the University to provide a safe working environment in general, and that of introducing these special measures.

The University undertakes to ensure that staff members with comorbidities will not be discriminated against in any manner, and that staff members are protected against any such prejudice in the Employment Equity Act.

For any further assistance please contact Lungisani Ntiyantiya on Lungisani.Ntiyantiya@mandela.ac.za

Human Resources Workstream

Coronavirus Task Team