UWI closes admin complex under COVID-19 watch

Part of the administration complex at the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill has been affected by the COVID-19 virus, triggering the building’s total closure, Campus Registrar Rommel Carter said Wednesday.

But the university’s doors will remain open as no evidence has emerged of any other infections, he said.

The registrar said the campus administration had been made aware that “a lower section” of the Hilary McDonald Beckles Administration Complex “might have been potentially compromised as a result of a member of staff coming into contact with a relative who tested positive for the COVID-19”.

Carter said in a notice dated Tuesday that as a result, the entire administration complex is be closed for an industrial cleaning with immediate effect, a decision that was taken in consultation with public health authorities who will supervise the cleaning.

It is to reopen on Monday, pending further notice, he added.

The registrar said all public transactions requiring a physical presence in the building are suspended.

The administration complex of the Cave Hill Campus joins several businesses and government departments in closing out of an abundance of caution as they carried out cleaning due to concerns of one or more staff members possibly coming into contact with a known  COVID-19 patient.

While disclosing that there was no evidence that any other person of the campus has been affected, Carter said the Cave Hill Campus will continue its normal operations, albeit primarily on a remote basis where possible.

During the industrial cleaning, offices located in the Administration Complex are to function remotely as all other operations remain open for business, he said.

Carter took the opportunity to remind Deans and Heads of Departments to ensure their departments and units continued to function “as smoothly as possible in the current remote working environment”, stating that it was expected that adequate provision would continue to be in place for students and other stakeholders to conduct business with minimum disruption.

“I urge your continued cooperation in following the established COVID-19 protocols, both nationally and campus-based, and that you remain safe and healthy in this challenging period,” said Carter.

Classes at the Cave Hill Campus resumed this week, with the majority of them being conducted online.
(MM)