The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) is proposing a Mandatory Vaccination Framework, which will require all staff and students, study or employment applicants, and visitors and service providers, to be vaccinated against Covid-19 before accessing its campus.

Staff members, students, senior managers, organised labour, and other constituencies have until October 11 to comment on the proposed framework.

If the policy is enforced, staff and students must produce their digital vaccine certificate or vaccination cards, which will be linked to their Wits access cards. 

Students under the age of 18, as well as staff and students with confirmed medical risks will be exempted.

A committee will also be set up to decide on any exemptions based on reasonable accommodation, in line with labour directives, the university said.

Unvaccinated students and staff will have to undergo daily health screenings and will be required to always wear an N95 mask in lectures, laboratories, during tutorials, and/or during assessments, and on buses.

They will also be required to undergo weekly Covid-19 testing at their own cost with or without Covid-19 symptoms and will not be allowed into common areas including Wits’ residences and in-person graduation ceremonies.

“Wits is a contact teaching university and the mandatory vaccination of staff and students will enable optimal access, the holistic delivery of the teaching and learning programme, and research to continue. A mandatory vaccination policy protects the health and safety of the University community and members of the public, and advances the public good,” the university said.

Comments can be sent to vco.news@wits.ac.za by October 11.