As of January 2022, UP’s vaccine policy is currently undergoing a consultation process and review, after which a final policy shall be approved by the UP senate. Director of Institutional Advancement at UP, Rikus Delport, confirmed that “Final measures will only be announced once the consultation process with students and staff has been completed. Until then, the University’s response is based on a proposal […] which forms part of the consultation process”. Delport cited that “We [The University] are planning to finalise the proposal before the end of January 2022” and stated that “Students will have to indicate their vaccination status when they register”.
Delport reiterated that the University’s position on vaccines is characterised by encouraging all students and staff to vaccinate, directing those who have doubts to “[…] seek more information from medical experts, including staff from our Faculty of Health Sciences”.
The University’s current vaccination proposal is based on a risk assessment process that “has identified some areas of operation where vaccination is required”, with the area of Health Science being cited as an example. Furthermore, the proposal hints at the possibility of other areas like education sectors being added onto the list. The proposal acknowledges that “While the University recognises that staff and students have certain constitutional rights, the plan will create the framework within which UP can flourish whilst reintegrating staff into the workplace and students into the study space in a safe and sustainable manner, without unnecessarily infringing upon their constitutional rights”. The university is considering “practical steps to accommodate students and staff who elect not to be vaccinated on medical or religious grounds”.
Vaccination exemptions are to be granted by UP under medical and religious grounds. The proposal also stipulates that unvaccinated individuals will have limited access to high-risk events, sporting activities, social events and visiting friends in residences. Should a student or staff member be granted exemption, they will be expected to undertake daily health screening before entering campus, wear a mask on campus and at campus- related activities, provide the University with a weekly negative PCR test at their own cost regardless of whether they show symptoms or not.
Susanna is currently stu(dying) genetics and joined the PDBY team in 2019. She divides her time between writing and playing with plant disease samples. Her contributions span across Science, politics and all things spicy. If you are or were in the SRC, she’s probably spammed you with messages for a story. She’s got a memory like an elephant – so she probably keeps track of student promises. Picture not to scale.