SOPH Statement on COVID-19

In light of the accelerating Corona/COVID-19 crisis, and the announcements made by the president on 15 March

Dear colleagues

In light of the accelerating Corona/COVID-19 crisis, and the announcements made by the president on 15 March we would like to advise you of the following:

1. Our academic programme will continue as planned, given that we are online already.
2. At this stage we do not know yet whether we will be able to run our annual Winter School, which is planned to start on 29 June. We are aiming to make a decision in this regard after Easter, in mid-April. Under the circumstances, the deadline for applications is extended to 3 May 2020.
3. The Masters modules “Public Health Research” and mini-thesis week are scheduled to run during the winter school period. If we have to cancel Winter School these modules will be presented remotely. We will be in touch with more details in due course, if we have to go this route.
4. For the time being our offices remain open. If you cannot reach anybody at the office, and don’t know who to contact with a query, please email us at SOPH.generalenquiries@gmail.com. Academic programme related queries should go to our student administrators or soph-comm@uwc.ac.za.

The present situation is extremely fluid and uncharted terrain for all of us. We will keep you informed if and when things change.

Please be safe, practice hygiene and safety measures as advised, and please assist those who are struggling. This is a time when we need to show solidarity as a country.

Prof Uta Lehmann
Director, School of Public Health
University of the Western Cape