This follows the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa this week that South Africa will move to Level 1 from 21 September as COVID-19 infection levels continue to drop, and the need to regenerate the economy becomes increasingly urgent.

While most of the remaining restrictions have been lifted or adjusted, an immediate, mass return to campus is neither possible nor responsible with the virus still active and no vaccine yet available.

Therefore, the University will continue with its cautious, phased return to campus plans that adhere to all safety compliance regulations, and personal preventative measures.

For students, this means only those with permits and those who have been notified by their lecturers to attend a contact activity or have a confirmed online computer lab booking may return to campus. Likewise, only those staff members who have completed the health declaration, watched the COVID-19 prevention measures training videos and have a permit, may be on campus.

As such, the present remote working and flexible blended learning pathways, new academic dates and return-to-campus processes for staff and students will continue until the University has undertaken Level 1 risk assessments and planning within its particular context. It will establish what adjustments are necessary towards its end goal of ensuring safety while enabling all students to complete the 2020 academic year.

The University remains guided by the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation regulations in this regard.

These developments, and other measures to this end, will be continuously communicated.

Coronavirus Task Team