UNZA up-scales Covid-19 compliance

SIMON MUNTEMBA writes THE University of Zambia (UNZA) has scaled-up its COVID-19 compliance activities by introducing rotational schedules for all non-academic members of staff to enforce social distancing in offices and workstations Acting head of communication and marketing, Brenda Bukowa said management had resolved that in order to enforce social distancing in offices and workstations, rotational schedules be implemented for all non-academic members of staff. Dr Bukowa in a statement said following the escalation in numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the country, UNZA had been put on high alert arising from the large numbers of people that use the institution inclusive of Students and Staff.  That being said, she said, the university would like to confirm that some members of staff have been swabbed or tested for the virus by the Ministry of Health at both the institution and in the communities, but the results have not yet been released to the Institution by the Ministry of Health (MOH), the custodian of health information.  Dr Bukowa said management was in close contact with the health officials, and if deemed necessary, the university community and the general public would be informed accordingly. “To this end and following an on-spot check by the Management of the University and in the context of the information from ministerial updates on COVID-19, it has been resolved that several measures be implemented to upscale UNZA’s COVID-19 compliance activities aimed at mitigating the spread of the pandemic amongst the Staff and Students,” she said.  For academic members of staff that are handling final year and graduating students, Dr Bukowa said it was encouraging that the use of blended learning was being implemented to minimize on physical contact where feasible.  She said on the students’ side, all final year and graduating students that had reported to the two campuses would continue to be accommodated with a maximum of two students per room and squatting is deemed illegal.   Dr Bukowa warned that the necessary disciplinary action would be taken against any student found wanting. Further, she said, it is a requirement to have temperature checked for all staff and students as well as visitors coming into the university premises at the main entrance gates of the institution.  She appealed to all staff and students to remain calm as the COVID 19 situation at the two Campuses was fully being monitored by the UNZA Medical Health Team with support from the Ministry of Health. The Sun