MANAGEMENT at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) said they are planning for the return of students and staff from Monday, 29 June.
In a statement the university said the decision is complex one and has to be undertaken both carefully and systematically, especially in light of the rapidly increasing confirmed daily cases of Covid-19 nationally over the last two weeks.
“The plan is that the first cohort of students under level 3 lockdown will return to campus on Monday, 29 June. Colleges will be contacting individual students during the course of next week to inform them of their eligibility to return to campus. If the student has not been contacted, the student must not return to campus. There will be stringent regulations with regard to the access of campuses and residences, and therefore students that are not in possession of a permit will be denied access,” said acting executive director in corporate relations at UKZN, Normah Zondo.
Students who are at high risk of infection due to health issues, including co-morbidities, are encouraged not to return to campus and to continue with online teaching and learning. There will be no contact teaching and learning (i.e. physical lectures), except in laboratories.
“The colleges will be staggering the return of students to campus. Students must take note of the dates stipulated to them for their return to campus. Due to health and safety measures, and ensuring compliance with regulations, students may not necessarily be accommodated in the residence that they were allocated to in pre-lockdown.
“Eligible students will be informed of their assigned residences. Students returning to university-owned and leased residences will be expected to self-isolate for a period of 14 days on returning to the residence. Further details on health screening and training of students on health and safety etiquette will be provided shortly,” she said.
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