The University of the Western Cape (UWC) has instructed all staff to work from home after they discovered that a faculty member has tested positive for coronavirus.
The staff member, who’s faculty was not disclosed, had travelled recently and although he had interacted with other staff, he had not had any encounters with students.
‘No cause for panic’
In a statement, UWC encouraged all staff to self isolate, and announced that they would immediately close campus for the safety of staff and students.
“We have learnt that a staff member from a faculty, who had travelled, has tested positive for COVID-19. After presenting with some symptoms, the staff member opted to be tested. In the meantime, however, he had been in contact with various academics, but not students. Since the staff member interacted with others, we will close campus in the interest of the safety of our staff and students.”
“We call on all those who travelled to self-isolate, have themselves tested and to notify their line managers of the outcome. There is no cause for panic, and we call on everyone to remain calm.”
Universities close their doors
The university was instructed to close it’s doors by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande on Tuesday 17 March, and said that students who remained posted in residences were free to vacate whenever they saw fit.
“Students who have opted to stay in residence during the recess are not affected, although those who choose to, may leave campus if they wish to,” said UWC.
Nzimande announced that all Universities and Colleges in South Africa will be closed from Wednesday 18 March due to the coronavirus, and students have been forced to vacate residences country wide. They have entered recess only few days before the scheduled Easter break, and it remians to be seen when they will be able to welcome students back.
Source: The South African Read More
