Wits council approves mandatory Covid-19 vaccination policy

The policy was approved at the council meeting on Thursday following weeks of engagements.

In a statement released on Friday, the senior executive team says the policy will be implemented from 1 January 2022 and will be reviewed regularly.

“Staff and students will have from 1 January 2022 to 1 March 2022 to either vaccinate or apply for reasonable accommodation. An implementation plan is being developed and this information will be shared with the Wits community as soon as it is available.

All members of the University community will be required to vaccinate against COVID-19 in order to access the University’s precincts, aside from those who have been granted reasonable accommodation,” it said.

The council says the purpose of the policy is to enable the return of employees and students to the University’s precincts whilst protecting the health and safety of the University community.

“The vaccination of employees and students will enable optimal access and the functioning of the University, including the delivery of teaching and learning, and the conducting of research. This is particularly pertinent for students who, due to their socioeconomic circumstances, benefit more readily from learning on campus, and those whose learning programmes require in-person engagement for pedagogic and professional reasons, in line with the 2022 Blended Teaching and Learning Plan,”

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