Stellenbosch University (SU) has been empty since the beginning of lockdown, but now some SU students are moving back. PHOTO: Wilné van Rooyen
Although Stellenbosch University (SU) residences and campus buildings remain closed, some students have decided to return to Stellenbosch as level four of lockdown has resulted in an ease in travel restrictions.
“We are concerned because the virus spreads when people move and mingle,” Sandra Maritz, the Cape Winelands communications officer for the Western Cape Health Department, told MatieMedia. Her department has warned that, as people travel around, it could result in an increase of Covid-19 infections.
“[But] we are in touch with the university’s health services to ensure that we manage cases appropriately,” said Maritz.
While SU cannot prevent students from returning to Stellenbosch and into their private accommodation, SU residences and campus buildings remain closed, confirmed Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson.
“SU has made it clear that students should not be returning to campus if they haven’t received a specific indication from the university that they can indeed do so,” he said.
Viljoen also emphasised that should students return to Stellenbosch, it is their responsibility to adhere to governmental guidelines.
“All aspects of student life must still be measured against [the law]. Students who do come back to town are, of course, still subject to alert level four regulations,” Viljoen said.
One second year BA (Humanities) student at SU said that now that the lockdown restrictions have been eased, she is making the move back to Stellenbosch where she can be more productive.
According to the student, who asked to remain anonymous, there are not as many distractions in Stellenbosch and it feels more normal to work in her usual working space. The student was also missing certain belongings, such as clothing, as she only packed a few items when she initially left Stellenbosch.