The end of the year is usually a time when we see a high level of people movement as many students, faculty and staff travel home for the holidays.

 

Although the number of new cases of COVID-19 Infection in Japan has been relatively low recently, there are still serious concerns about a sixth wave, especially involving the new Omicron variant, which has already been detected in Japan. It’s believed that the Omicron variant is highly infectious and could pose a risk of reinfection.

 

On top of that, winter is also the season when influenza is rampant, so please advise all members of your department to be extra vigilant this year-end holiday season. We also encourage everyone to stay up to date with news about the coronavirus in Japan as well as around the world. We are attaching two flyers (in English and Japanese) which you can use to help reinforce the message.

 



Reminder of Basic Infection Prevention Measures and Etiquette

(1) Please continue to adhere to infection prevention measures, even if you have been vaccinated.
◎ Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. Use disinfectant when possible. This is especially important before and after meals, after you have used the toilet, after you have touched shared items or been on public transportation.

◎ Wear a mask at all times when you are among people.

◎ Avoid the 3Cs (closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings) Maintain appropriate physical distance from other people. Avoid crowded and poorly ventilated places.

◎ Avoid eating and drinking in large groups or for long periods Eating and drinking in large groups increases the risk of infection as people are more likely to be maskless, to talk loudly and in close proximity. Being in a confined space with people for a prolonged period also increases the risk of infection. Avoid attending parties with large numbers of people.

◎ Ventilation When the weather is cold, it is tempting to keep the window and doors closed. But it is important to ventilate the room regularly to have fresh air. Open the windows for short periods, or use exhaust fans to change the air.

◎ Know your physical condition Take your temperature regularly. If you feel unwell, avoid contact with other people and rest at home. Take appropriate action if your condition worsens.

(2) Know what to do in an emergency
◎ Make sure you know who to contact in case of an emergency (university, family doctor, call center). This is especially important if you are in a different city or prefecture that might have different guidelines.

(3) Do not discriminate
◎ To avoid unnecessary misunderstanding and/or discrimination, please make sure you get accurate information from reputable sources and always be considerate towards others.