In a bid to resume contact classes next year, Rhodes University’s council has decided to approve mandatory vaccinations for all its students and staff members. Read: University Of Free State To Implement Mandatory Vaccination Policy
If you are a student at Rhodes University then you may have to go for your vaccination jab before the start of the next academic year.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the University said that it will require all staff, students, service providers and visitors to produce proof that they have been vaccinated against Covid-19 in order to access its campus premises.
As reported by DispatchLIVE:
Based on an analysis of the law and information drawn from the higher education sector, it was submitted that having assessed risks, Rhodes University had a responsibility to ensure that employees and students are protected and that all the necessary precautionary measures are in place,
The University held a special meeting of the Council this week in preparation for the full return of students and staff in 2022.
The vaccination requirement will also apply as a condition for registration for all students, as well as for staff working on campus, service providers and visitors, according to the university.
However, the university has also made provisions for an exemption application process and for those who are unable to take the vaccine due to medical or other “legitimate and justifiable” reasons.
Where such applications are successful, the university will consider steps to mitigate risk, including the requirement to produce a negative Covid-19 test result on a weekly basis. This would be at the cost of the student, staff member, visitor or service provider concerned in specific circumstances.
The importance of resuming face-to-face university activities, as well as the need to limit health risks to students, staff, service providers, and members of the Makhanda community, were key considerations in making the decision, according to the university.
Council decided, after balancing the relevant, competing constitutional rights, that the university had a responsibility to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of all who access and come into contact with members of the university