Dear UJ Community,
As you are aware, the COVID-19 lockdown levels have had various implications for our academic programme and Business Continuity Plan. When the government moved the country to the COVID-19 Adjusted Alert Level 4 last month, we resolved that only essential activities be allowed on campus – subject to extreme precautions. Staff members across all faculties, divisions and units worked remotely as much as possible.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has since moved the country to the COVID-19 Adjusted Alert Level 3 effective from Sunday, 25 July 2021 and with this, the University has made some adjustments. It has been resolved that under this level, all staff members (across all faculties, divisions, and units) should work from their office and workstations on campuses and other University sites on a rotational basis, ensuring business continuity. This must be done in consultation with the relevant ELG and line managers (DVCs, senior managers, etc.).
It is important to note that the status quo remains with regard to the delivery of the academic programme: teaching and learning will continue to remain online for the duration of the second semester. Only students enrolled in modules that require in person contact, such as laboratory or clinical work, experiential learning, etc., will be done on campus. All other students will continue to be supported through remote teaching, learning and assessment in the second semester. Any changes to these arrangements will be communicated by the relevant faculties or departments.
Our computer laboratories are now open between 7:30 am and 17:30, from Mondays to Fridays. This week, 26 – 31 July, only one library will be open each day of the week. From Monday, 2 August, our libraries will be open Monday to Friday from 7:30 – 17:00, with most of the 24-hour spaces open from 17:00 until 20:00. On Saturdays, the libraries will be open from 09:00 until 13:00, while most of the 24-hour spaces will be open from 13:00 – 20:00. On Sundays, the 24-hour spaces will be open from 09:00 – 20:00. The rest of the areas in the libraries will be closed on Sundays.
Under the COVID-19 Adjusted Alert Level 4, a further restriction was the reduced access points across all our campuses. These restrictions have now been relaxed, under the Adjusted Alert Level 3. We would like to extend our appreciation to all staff who continue to work tirelessly to ensure that University operations continue during these trying times.
This wave of COVID-19 infections has certainly hit closer to home for many of us. Once again, our heartfelt condolences go out to those of you who have lost relatives, friends and colleagues in recent months. To those who have been infected with the virus, we would like to extend our very best wishes to you for a speedy recovery.
We request staff to update their vaccination status via the link: https://ulink.uj.ac.za/staffvac. Please enter the information after your first vaccination, and where relevant, update it after your second vaccination. The survey takes less than one minute. We use the numbers (and not your personal details), to inform us of the vaccination statistics of the UJ community. The statistics will guide us in our response to the COVID-19 situation and the implementation of our re-integration plans.
The University leadership will continue to monitor the situation, and further updates will be provided as and when the need arises. Only information issued via the University’s official communication platforms is legitimate. This information may be verified by visiting: www.uj.ac.za/coronavirus. We appeal to you all to adhere to the recommended precautionary measures, hygiene and physical distancing at all the times. Should any of you experience symptoms of the coronavirus, please use the National Hotline of 0800 029 999 or WhatsApp line 0600 123456 or go to the following link for more information: https://sacoronavirus.co.za/. Please continue to check uLink. Please notify our campus clinics if you have tested positive for COVID-19, or if you know of a colleague or a student who has tested positive.
Issued by University Management
University of Johannesburg
Times mentioned in this newsletter refer to the South African time-zone.
