Tshwane universities close their doors
Another two universities have closed their doors to learning as the number of coronavirus infections continue to rise.
The University of Pretoria (UP) and Tshwane Univeristy of Technology (TUT) have both announced the suspension of academic activities.
UP management says "students are advised that there will be no contact classes, tests and assessments from Monday 16 March 2020 until mid-April 2020”.
The statement adds: "The residences will be closed during this period."
UPDATE: All students are advised that there will be no contact classes, tests and assessments from Monday16 March 2020 until mid-April 2020. The University is committed to ensuring that all our students complete the academic year successfully: https://t.co/KXtbZJ5MV7 pic.twitter.com/o93zWwOJex
— Univ. of Pretoria (@UPTuks) March 16, 2020
In the same city, TUT has also advised students to vacate residences by the end of the week.
This comes after the university also announced plans to shut all its campuses on Tuesday amid the outbreak.
Academic activity is expected to resume in April.
"Online resources will be utilised. The executive deans of faculties are engaging with their staff to seeing which way they can accommodate the students and how they can publish the content online to ensure that students will not be disadvantaged," says TUT spokesperson Willa de Ruyter.
All sports events have also been cancelled.
De Ruyter has urged students and staff to adhere to all protocols during this time.
UP and TUT join Wits University, University of Cape Town, University of KwaZulu-Natal and the University of Johannesburg in suspending classes to mitigate the impact of the virus.
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