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Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002)

Notices

Directions for Criteria to return to Public University and Private Higher Education Institution Campuses as part of a Risk-adjusted strategy for a phased-in return from Level 3

3. Return to Residences (on-campus, HEI4 managed/leased off campus, and private residences)

 

Plans for the return of students to residences in a phased manner should be in place in line with the following principles:

 

• Students returning to residences should be identified at institutional level, concomitant with numbers that can be accommodated to enable physical distancing, the handling of communal spaces, hygiene requirements and dining hall arrangements.
• Students identified to return for contact teaching in terms of the phase-in plans may return to HEI managed/leased residences before classes begin, provided the maximum percentage per residence identified for the level (Level 3 - 33%; Level 2 - 66%) is adhered to and all health and safety protocols are in place. Any deviation above these levels would require approval from the Department, and would need to show capacity to manage the strict protocols necessary.
• Students who live in private rented accommodation close to campuses may return, but their access to campus must be restricted to keep the campus population to one-third of the capacity, consistent with Level 3 risk for spread of the infection. Their access to residence must be managed as with all other students, subject to regular screening when entering residences.
• Students and staff in residences will have to sign a code of conduct to ensure that they adhere to the strict regulations in place.
• Social solidarity must be encouraged to ensure the health and safety of all in the residences.

 

Institutions must identify the specific students5 who may return to residences and provide permits to enable their return.

 

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4 This will include public universities and private higher education institutions that may have residences.
5 This implies that some students who may be permitted to return to residences may be supported though remote teaching and learning methodologies and will not return to campus for contact teaching.