Dear USIU-Africa Community,

We trust that you are keeping well. As we return to campus to begin yet another year of teaching and learning, you are all aware that there has been an upsurge in COVID-19 infections. It is therefore critical to promote a positive and safe learning and working environment. The University’s Occupational Health & Safety Administration Committee (OSHA) recommended the following to monitor USIU-Africa’s community preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Every time members of the USIU-Africa community meet or are in class, the chair of the meeting or Faculty, should take stock of the number of members or students wearing masks, and share a report highlighting those who are fully vaccinated, and/or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days prior to the gathering/class.
• Every division, department, section or unit is encouraged to monitor the number of members with proof of vaccination against COVID-19 virus.
• During on-campus vaccination drives, the number of persons vaccinated will be provided by category of students, faculty, staff and dependents (for both faculty and staff).
• Testing will be undertaken only for members of the University community who report that they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 within their household in the last 14 days.

The OSHA Committee has suggested that the heads of divisions, departments, sections, units and faculty carry out this exercise as outlined above. In addition, the University’s digital platforms will be used in the monitoring of all the parameters listed above.
We would like to urge you to ensure that you adhere to the following protocols to ensure your safety while on campus to mitigate the spread of COVID-19:

• Proper wearing of masks at all times. Ensure that the masks are tight-fitting.
• Wash your hands and use sanitizers as frequently as possible.
• Observing respiratory etiquette - covering nose and mouth when coughing or coughing into your elbow.
• Maintaining social distance of at least 1.5 meters.
• Avoiding crowded places.
• Avoiding enclosed places.
• Ensure classroom windows are open to allow for air circulation.
• Getting vaccinated, including taking a booster dose (six months from the last vaccination).
• Temperature monitoring at designated places, starting from the gate and on entering buildings.
• Undertaking self-isolation when tested positive or when you show signs and symptoms of COVID-19 after exposure to someone with COVID-19.

In the meantime, please note that participation in any sports activities or use of the Gym facility will require proof of vaccination. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that the return of the university community to campus is done as safely as possible to protect the health of our students, staff and faculty. Any amendments or changes to the current operations protocol will be communicated immediately through your emails and on the COVID-19 Updates page on our website.

Should you have any queries, please reach out to the Administration Department at hrteam@usiu.ac.ke

Signed,

Professor Freida A. Brown | Interim Vice Chancellor
United States International University - Africa