| 5.1. |
All private and public higher education institutions must ensure that their infrastructure and facilities meet the requirements for the safe accommodation of staff and students at the applicable Risk Alert Level. |
| 5.2. |
It is critical that all institutions adhere to the required health and safety protocols defined through the Risk Alert Level Regulations applicable at the time. This includes the need to screen all individuals entering campuses and residences, to ensure that physical distancing is practiced, to supervise the compulsory wearing of masks, ongoing environmental cleaning and so on. |
| 5.3. |
High-risk areas, for example, libraries laboratories and lecture venues in use, must be identified and regularly monitored. Frequent cleaning and sanitising in these areas should be implemented. |
| 5.4. |
Wearing masks in public spaces is mandatory for all staff and students at all times. In terms of the Regulations published in the Government Notice No. R. 480 of 29 April 2020 (as amended) not wearing a mask under Alert Level 3 Regulation is a criminal offence which can lead to arrest. |
| 5.5. |
It is necessary to ensure that all services, including transport and shuttle services, operate with all the required health and safety protocols in place. It is the responsibility of institutions and/or service providers to ensure this is rigorously and consistently enforced. It is essential to communicate the message that whilst the institution must adhere to all the safety regulations that are in place to protect the health and safety of the HEI community, individual staff and students also have an obligation to take personal responsibility for their own health and safety and of those that they will come into contact with. |
| 5.6. |
HIGHER HEALTH's Guidelines and Protocols for COVID-19 should be utilised. These include: |
| 5.6.1. |
Guideline on the Management of COVID-19 within PSET Institutions |
https://higherhealth.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Guidelines-for-Post-School-Education-and-Training-PSET-Institutions-for-management-of-and-response-to-the-COVID-19-outbreak.pdf.
| 5.6.2. |
Guideline on Managing Mental Health and Substance Abuse in relation to COVID-19 |
https://higherhealth.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/GUIDEL1.pdf
| 5.6.3. |
Protocol for Screening, Testing, Contact Tracing, Self- Isolation, and Linkage to Care for the COVID-19 programme within the Post School Education & Training (PSET) Sector. This protocol among other matters includes: Mass Screening at Campus Entry Points through establishment of Screening Stations and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Precautions & Prevention for Student Volunteers, front line staff as well as all students and staff. |
https://higherhealth.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/HIGHER-HEALTH-COVID-19-Protocol-on-Screening-Testing-Linkage-to-Care-for-the-PSET.pdf.
| 5.6.4. |
Protocol on Routine Cleaning for COVID-19 Prevention at Post School Education & Training (PSET) institutions |
https://higherhealth.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/HIGHER-HEALTH-COVID-19-Protocol-on-Routine-cleaning-at-PSET-institutions.pdf.
| 5.6.5. |
Student Volunteer Protocol for the COVID-19 programme within the PSET Sector |
https://higherhealth.ac.za/wp-content/upIoads/2020/06/HIGHER-HEALTH-COVID-19-Protocol-on-Student-Staff-Volunteer-Programme-for-the-PSET-institutions.pdf.
| 5.6.6. |
Protocol Post a Positive COVID-19 Result |
http://higherhealth.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/HIGHER-HEALTH-Protocol-Post-a- COVID19-Positive-Result.pdf.
| 5.6.7. |
Protocol on managing cluster outbreaks within PSET institutions. This contains five COVID-19 scenarios which PSET administrators might have to manage. These range from those that occur at an individual level and pose a relatively low risk, to cluster outbreaks of many students and staff becoming positive in a short time -frame that may carry very high risks to the entire campus's health and wellness staff and student community. |
http://higherhealth.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/HIGHER-HEALTH-Protocol-on-Managing-Clusters-of-Outbreak-of-COVID-19- within-the-PSET-Institutions.pdf
| 5.7. |
Daily screening (and COVID-19 testing where symptoms dictate) of all staff and students entering the campus must be put in place. The Higher Health screening tools remain available to all institutions and may be utilised for daily screening. Higher Health's HealthCheck is considered a suitable tool to assist with the daily screening at HEIs. It is available in the following ways: |
| • |
Download using the URL for the webform: healthcheck.higherhealth.ac.za
|
| • |
Add to WhatsApp contacts: 0600 11 0 000
|
https://wa.me/27600110000?text=hi
| • |
Dial using USSD line *134*832*2#
|
| • |
Students and staff are encouraged to conduct a daily HealthCheck through their channel of choice prior leaving their places of residence, alternatively, at the screening stations before entering campus. Presentation of a HealthCheck passport at entry points allows quick clearance towards entry into campus and minimising queues and reducing risk of transmission at these common areas. |
| 5.8. |
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. |
| 5.9. |
All institutions need to prepare for managing possible cluster outbreaks across campuses, residences and accommodations as per HIGHER HEALTH's protocol on managing cluster outbreaks. In response to COVID-19 cluster outbreaks, on campuses, institutions are advised to liaise with Higher Health that can assist towards an establishment of COVID-19 Cluster Investigation Teams. The cluster investigation teams comprise COVID-19 chairpersons of the institutions, Department of Health, NICD, WHO, together with National Health Laboratory Service and HIGHER HEALTH. The Cluster Investigation Teams aim to, but are not limited, to: |
| • |
Early testing and quick results from laboratories on COVID-19 |
| • |
Early isolation of confirmed COVID-19 cases to established health facilities |
| • |
Contact tracing and same day testing of contacts |
| • |
Cleaning and disinfection of all affected residencies and common areas |
| • |
Surveillance Testing through District rapid response teams, and case investigation teams |
| • |
Infection control measures, compliance, and risk monitoring |
| 5.10. |
Guidance for students/staff regarding age vulnerabilities and the prevalence of comorbidities 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. |
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