UST will continue to hold limited face-to-face (F2F) classes while Metro Manila is under Alert Level 3, but only fully vaccinated individuals will be allowed on campus.
In a memorandum released on Jan. 3, the Office of the Secretary General said that the limited F2F classes would be held at 30-percent indoor venue capacity and 50-percent outdoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals.
Onsite work will also be allowed at the same capacity restrictions.
Limited F2F classes at the tertiary level are allowed under Alert Level 3, according to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases, but only for institutions and programs previously approved by the task force.
The University will also implement a “no vax card, no entry” policy starting Jan. 5.
“University staff and students shall be required to show their vaccination cards at the entrance of each building…Only fully vaccinated individuals are allowed onsite, whether for work or study,” Coronel said.
According to Coronel, fully vaccinated individuals are those who are two weeks removed from completing their primary Covid-19 vaccinations.
The secretary general also urged Thomasians to avail themselves of booster shots and update their Covid-19 vaccination records in the Thomasian Online Medical Services and Support (ThOMedSS) website.
“Those who are qualified to receive a booster dose are strongly encouraged to avail at the soonest possible time in anticipation of the requirement for a booster dose in order to be considered fully vaccinated,” Coronel said.
Coronel said that UST staff and students would be required to confirm their vaccination status and complete their health declaration forms once UST’s digital IDs fully integrate automated contact tracing and health declaration features.
https://varsitarian.net/news/20211118/usts-digital-ids-add-automated-contact-tracing-health-declaration-features
Work-from-home arrangements are “strongly encouraged, provided that the University staff will be able to do work-from-home effectively,” Coronel said.
“University staff required to render onsite work, including academic and support staff who are needed for the implementation of the (limited F2F classes), shall comply with all health protocols and standards,” Coronel added.
However, it would be up to the heads of departments and units to determine the work arrangements of their staff.
Metro Manila is under Alert Level 3 from Jan. 3 to 15, 2022. The second term of Academic Year 2021-2022 will open on Jan. 18, 2022. J.C. Ramos and C.J. Paras
