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23 June 2022 | Story Lacea Loader
UFS drops wearing of masks on campus

The management of the University of the Free State (UFS) has taken note of the announcement by the Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, in the Government Gazette on 22 June 2022, in which COVID-19 regulations were repealed.

Minister Phaahla stated that, as from 22 June, South Africans no longer have to wear masks, and that limits on gatherings and border checks for COVID-19, as well as the need to be vaccinated in order to enter South Africa, have also been dropped.

The UFS COVID-19 Regulations and Required Vaccination Policy has created an environment that the university management regards as safe. This, together with yesterday’s announcement by the Minister, was considered, and a decision was made that the wearing of masks on campus or in any building on campus is no longer compulsory.

However, the UFS COVID-19 Regulations and Required Vaccination Policy remains in place. Campus access control is still in place, and staff, students, and visitors are expected to upload a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a negative PCR or antigen test result to obtain access to the campuses.

The wearing of masks is still recommended and will be of value especially in the following instances:

1.     For immune-compromised staff, students, and visitors
2.     For persons who are ill with, e.g., flu, colds, coughs, etc.

In the case of staff and students working in public and private hospitals, or any other external laboratory/facility, the wearing of masks is determined by the hospital or the external laboratory/facility and not by the UFS. In any other environment where students or staff are under the regulations of external organisations, these regulations will take precedence. 

Staff and students are encouraged to feel free to continue wearing masks, including those with comorbidities, as masks have been shown to be helpful in preventing the spread of respiratory diseases. Good health-care behaviour remains important as COVID-19 is still a reality.

The university management will decide in due course on the possible upliftment of restrictions on public gatherings.

Released by:
Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Marketing)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za

News Archive

Outgoing Rector donates computer to security guard
2008-10-23

 
Prof. Frederick Fourie and Mr Teli Mohlakoana
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe
The outgoing Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS), Prof. Frederick Fourie, has donated a laptop computer to a security guard at the UFS to enable him to continue writing radio dramas.

Mr Teli Mohlakoana was one of the security guards dispatched to Prof. Fourie’s house at the time of the Reitz video incident.

Prof. Fourie said it was during that time that he noticed Mr Mohlakoana busy writing, and approached him to find out what he was writing. He told Prof. Fourie he was writing his latest drama for Lesedi FM, something he has been doing for years without a computer.

Mr Mohlakoana started writing radio dramas in 1997, and is currently working on three dramas with 35 episodes each. His first drama, “Na Ke Phoso” (Am I Wrong?) was aired in 2004. He said the laptop will make his job much easier.

“I am very happy to have received this gift, and I intend to use it to teach other people to write dramas”, he said.

Mr Mohlakoana is also busy writing a book titled “Dikapeso” (Graduations), as well as a stage play, with the assistance of the Drama Department. He started working for the UFS in 2006.

Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za  
22 October 2008
 

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