Dear UP students,

As we continue to learn to live with the COVID-19 virus, it is important that we remind ourselves of the necessary precautions required to stop it from spreading and to take care of our own and the health of others.  For this reason, it is preferable for students who have tested positive for COVID-19, but who are asymptomatic, to isolate for five days and to study from home or residences. Similarly, those who have symptoms should be tested as soon as possible and stay away from campus.

Students should also remember to continue wearing masks while indoors and to sanitise regularly. It is important to take note that while the University has no requirement for vaccination or a COVID-19 test in order to attend gatherings (save where required by a sporting code or the like), the Health Regulations allow for the use of indoor venues to 50% of their capacity if the attendees of gatherings are vaccinated or have a negative PCR test. The 50% of capacity is limited to a maximum of 1000 persons in cases where there is no vaccine rule or requirement for a negative PCR test in force.

This means that at UP, venues can be used to 50% of their capacity up to a maximum of 1000 persons, whichever is the lesser, as UP has no vaccine rule in force.

We would like to again encourage everyone to vaccinate.  Vaccinations are safe and are the most effective way to protect yourself against severe disease, hospitalisation and even death. Please click here for more information.

Best regards,

Prof Caroline Nicholson

Registrar