16 March 2020

Dear Student,

The University Management has made an announcement that contact classes are suspended effective Monday, 16 March 2020, until mid-April 2020, and that “residences will be closed during this period”. This is an attempt to avoid or minimise the possible spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 among our staff and students.

In view of the above, we are left with limited options, and so your utmost cooperation will be much appreciated. Both undergraduate and postgraduate students will have to vacate the residence buildings within the next 48 to 72 hours. For those who will not be able to leave the residences due to reasons, which would be considered as very compelling, will have to speak to their respective Head of Residences to seek permission to stay in residences.

Practical Guidelines When Evacuating Residences

All students should evacuate their residences within the next 48 to 72 hours. This is until Thursday, 19 March 2020 at 10am. As we understand the challenges around evacuations within such a limited time-frame, students may, at their own risk, leave some of their items in their rooms that they cannot take with them during the evacuation. However, it should clearly be understood that once the room has been vacated, students will be allowed back only around the time when contact classes commence i.e. you will not be able to come back and collect things that you have left behind.

Dining Halls will have limited service from Thursday, 19 March 2020.

Students who will not be able to go home (only due to compelling reasons) will apply to remain in residence only if they meet the following criteria:

• International travel restrictions (in their home countries)
• Reasons relating to academic and research matters that require students with the only option as being to stay. In this regard, the Director and TuksRes Management will look into a case-by-case situation, and justification may be required from respective Faculties.

For those who may need to remain in residence, the following link should be used to apply/request for permission.

https://forms.gle/NGrNGnqxgvqSow8N9

However, you should still notify the Heads of Residence first, and provide your details, including details of your next of kin. Only the Director and TuksRes Management will approve the requests. Students who may indicate that they will not be able to leave within the given time-frame, but soon afterwards, will still need to notify their Heads of Residence without necessarily completing the link.

As you are encouraged to make travel arrangements in view of the above, you are also encouraged to continue with safe practices and hygiene as mentioned below.

To protect yourself and to minimise the spread of coronavirus, do the following:

1. Wash your hands with soap very often, for 20 seconds or more. Make sure you wash and rub the entire hand surface, including the back of your hands.
2. Keep your distance. Aim to keep at least 1.5m’s distance between yourself and someone who is coughing or sneezing.
3. Avoid handshakes.
4. Avoid touching your face.
5. Practise respiratory hygiene. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing.
6. Seek medical care early, but call ahead: Stay at home, call your doctor and remember to tell them about any recent travel and/or symptoms.

Thanking you for your cooperation and understanding, and wishing you the best of health.

Yours sincerely,

TuksRes Management

For coronavirus updates from the University of Pretoria visit www.up.ac.za/coronavirus-updates or check our social media pages.