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Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002)

Notices

Directions for Criteria to return to Public University and Private Higher Education Institution Campuses as part of a Risk-adjusted strategy for a phased-in return from Level 3

1. Background and Principles

 

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the President declaring a state of disaster in South Africa. Government implemented a national lockdown from 27 March 2020. All post school education and training institutions advanced their recess periods from the 16 March 2020 and subsequently closed their campuses and learning centres. A small number of students, mainly international and post graduate students remained in the residences of public institutions, both on and off campus.

 

A risk adjusted strategy is being implemented to phase-in the reopening of campus activities. This is to manage the gradual opening of activities and to ensure that the gains achieved during the lockdown are maintained. An essential aspect of the opening of institutions is linked to the need to ensure preparedness of infrastructure and teaching and learning spaces; screening of staff, students and the general public entering institutions; physical distancing; and the implementation of hygiene protocols as per government regulations.

 

The sector recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic will have an effect on daily lives and workplaces for some time to come, that the lockdown will have to be eased over time, and eventually it will be necessary to return to normal teaching and learning and work. However, this must be done based on an understanding that institutions and individuals must act differently.

 

Different methodologies will have to be explored to ensure that staff and students at higher education institutions (HEIs) are able to access campuses as safely as possible, that the mitigation of health and safety risks must be built into the daily life and work of all institutions (including living and teaching spaces) and that social solidarity must guide all of us in how we conduct ourselves in relation to others, to ensure that we all do whatever we can as a collective to minimise the spread of the virus. In this way we will be saving lives and saving the academic year.

 

The return of staff and students to campus, contact tuition and to residences will be phasedin. HEIs must take the following key factors into consideration when developing their plans for the return to campuses and residences:

• In order to enable effective implementation of the phase-in of activities and to regulate the numbers of students on campuses, including in residences, all students and staff who are able to work remotely should be encouraged to stay at home. Students and staff should only come to campuses under exceptional circumstances, for example, when it is essential to visit the library or undertake practical/laboratory work;
• The social impact of the lockdown requires consideration for students whose living conditions at home are such that they are not in a position to participate meaningfully in remote teaching and learning;
• The academic size and shape of the institution, including the numbers of students requiring clinical training, work integrated learning, and access to laboratories and equipment;
• The design of teaching and learning spaces at the institution and their conduciveness for physical distancing and social solidarity;
• The readiness of institutions to practice non-pharmaceutical interventions (such as the wearing of cloth masks, physical1 distancing, hand hygiene, etc.) to prevent the spread or outbreaks of COVID-19;
• The number, size and distribution of residences for students, particularly the need to minimise sharing of rooms and to ensure that physical distancing in public areas of residences and dining halls2 is maintained;
• An assessment of the physical infrastructure of each campus to ensure that reintegration is managed within the necessary protocols;
• An assessment of clinical training platforms and practical placement facilities for students; and
• Transport arrangements for students and staff.
• Students and staff with underlying illnesses must be afforded the opportunity to study and/or work remotely until institutions resume with normal operations.

 

The criteria in this document are:

 

• National guidelines for institutions to develop specific phase-in plans for the return of students and staff to campuses and residences.
• Phase-in plans must be submitted to the Department of Higher Education and Training (For public institutions: [email protected]. For private institutions: [email protected]).
• The implementation of phase-in plans will be monitored by the Department.
• Phase-in plans must be communicated to staff and students and implemented at the institutional level.

 

Campus readiness and preparation

 

All private and public higher education institutions must ensure that their infrastructure and facilities meet the requirements for the return of staff and students.

 

No student or staff member should return to campus or residences until they have received communication from their institution that they are able to do so. Once the institution has confirmed that it is ready for their return, and they have agreed to the necessary code of conduct, then the individuals recalled may do so. They must also ensure that they are in possession of the relevant permit for return before traveling to the campus.

 

All institutions must have campus readiness plans in place which meet the requirements of the various health and safety directives published by the Department of Employment and Labour on the 29th April 2020 (Government Gazette No. 43257) to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Higher Health has also published guidelines to assist institutions to put relevant protocols in place and these should be adhered to at the institutional level. A check list will be sent to all HEIs to assist them to adhere to the necessary protocols.

 

All institutions must identify isolation and quarantine facilities and develop and publicise protocols for any staff or students who present with symptoms or test positive. Testing and contact tracing will be supported by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), the National Department of Health (NDoH) and Provincial Health Departments.

 

Each institution must complete a risk assessment for the return of employees and students in line with the regulations for each campus/site of delivery.

 

Provision must be made for: sanitisation; screening of staff, students and general public entering the institution; and the provision of masks and other appropriate personal protective equipment.

 

Guidance for students/staff regarding age vulnerabilities and the prevalence of co-morbidities must be in place. Campus Health Clinics, where in place, should be guided by the NICD protocols and the NDoH guidelines to handle cases for referral if they arise and in public institutions will be supported by Higher Health with the necessary training and advice.

 

All institutions must have a COVID-19 Response Task Team in place, in line with regulations, to ensure responsiveness to ongoing issues.

 

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1 Throughout this document the term ‘physical distancing’ is used. This is to emphasise the need for all members of the community to ensure that the physical space between them and another person is at least 1.5m at all times; 2m is considered safe. This is often referred to as "social distancing". However social solidarity is required for all to work together and cooperate to ensure the health and safety of all. Therefore in this document we emphasise physical distancing and social solidarity.
2 Dining halls, if utilised, must be strictly controlled. Seating arrangements must ensure that at least 2 m is maintained between individuals. All surfaces must be frequently cleaned.