Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s update regarding the move to risk-adjusted lockdown level 3, the University will continue with its current arrangements.

Residences will remain open and students are requested to adhere to all the relevant protocols and take the necessary precautionary measures.

UP staff should work from home where possible, after consultation with their line managers. In instances where they need to go to the office, staff do not require a permit to enter campus.

We will continue to monitor the situation on an ongoing basis and will keep you informed of any further measures.

Prof Tawana Kupe, Vice-Chancellor and Principal

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As per our last communique, dated 27 July 2021, regarding the priority vaccinations programme for the higher education sector recently announced by Minister Blade Nzimande, the National Department of Health and the Inter-Ministerial Committee on vaccines have agreed to extend the vaccination programme by an additional week.

You are encouraged to visit any of the vaccination sites, as set out in the attached spreadsheet anytime from 08h00 to 17h00, weekdays from 27 July to 6 August 2021.

All staff on every campus who are over the age of 35 and who have not yet been vaccinated, can go to their nearest vaccination site as indicated in the attached spreadsheet. No appointment is needed. The spreadsheet details the provincial sites breakdown into districts and sub-districts. You are advised to open the excel sheet, identify your district and sub-district and find the nearest vaccination site/s to the campus or your home, for easy access to vaccination. In preparation for the vaccination rollout, the following should be noted:

All staff who wish to be vaccinated must REGISTER on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) as soon as possible.

Staff Registered on EVDS may proceed to the nearest vaccination site from 27 July to 6 August, from 08h00 to 17h00. Staff may register on the EVDS system at the vaccination site, however,  they will first have to complete that process before proceeding to the queue for the administration of the vaccine
Employees will be vaccinated on presentation of the following:

•    South African Identification Card/South African Residents Permit/Passport if a foreign national

•     Proof of employment (staff identity, staff card or a letter from the Head of the Institution

•     Medical Aid details (if applicable)

The above plan provides an additional route for vaccination that can be accessed by all staff members over the age of 35 in order to expedite the rollout. The University will continue to provide vaccinations at the Prinshof South Campus at the Tswelopele Building.  Appointments are necessary for those making use of this site.

Staff who have received the first Pfizer vaccine should wait a minimum of 42 days and those who have had the virus, at least 30 days before presenting themselves for a vaccination.

The University has limited transport to some of the vaccination sites available for those with no access to transport. Should you need transport assistance, please contact your line manager who will need to complete the staff. vaccination transport requirement spreadsheet and email it to [email protected] and [email protected]

Please note that vaccination for staff and students who are under 35 years of age will commence as soon as the national vaccination rollout opens up for this population, from 1 September 2021. Arrangement related to this group will be communicated in due course.

Herein find the designated vaccination areas, click: https://www.up.ac.za/media/shared/1/2021/August%202021/documents/annexure-a-provincial-vaccination-plan-sites-list-2-1.zp207272.xlsx

Prof Caroline Nicholson, Registrar