Staff Reporter
The University of the Free State (UFS) will proceed to enforce its mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy after an attempt in court to stop its implementation failed.
This means, with effect from February 14, the institution will not allow students, staff members or visitors who have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus disease to have access to its premises.
The vaccination policy is part of the new measures approved last November by the UFS council in an effort to maintain a safe working environment at the university’s campuses.
On Friday, the Free State High Court struck off the roll an application for an interim interdict against the implementation of the mandatory vaccination policy that had been lodged by the human rights movement Free State for Choice, saying the matter was not urgent.
The UFS, which has around 35 000 students at its campuses in Bloemfontein and QwaQwa, welcomed the ruling and confirmed that it will go ahead with the implementation of the policy on Monday.
“Although the university management respects the outcome and decision of the court, the UFS was never of the view that the implementation of the policy should be set aside,” UFS communication and marketing director Lacea Loader said in a statement.
“The university confirms the stipulations in the policy, that – as from 14 February 2022 – staff, students, and visitors will either be required to be vaccinated, to upload a negative SARS (COVID-19) PCR test (not older than a week) on its campus access system if they are not vaccinated, or to have an approved deferral or an approved exemption, in order to access campus.
“The university management remains of the view that the implementation of the policy is consistent with its prerogative and obligation to maintain a safe working and learning environment for its staff, students and visitors.”