Based on the “Requests based on the Priority Measures for Prevention of Spread of Infectious Diseases in Saitama Prefecture” issued by the Governor of Saitama Prefecture on January 19, 2022 and February 10, 2022, the University has been implementing the following measures from Friday, January 21, 2022 to Sunday, March 6, 2022. On March 4, 2022,  the Government Countermeasures Headquarters decided to extend the period of implementation of the “Priority Measures for Prevention of Spread of Infectious Diseases” based on Article 31-4, Paragraph 3 of the “Act on Special Measures Concerning COVID-19 etc.”, and to change the basic policy for countermeasures against COVID-19 infections. As a result, Saitama Prefecture has decided to extend the end of the implementation period of the”Requests based on the Priority Measures for Prevention of Spread of Infectious Diseases in Saitama Prefecture” from March 6, 2022 (Sunday) to March 21, 2022 (Monday). 

　In accordance with this, Saitama University takes the following measures during the period from Friday, January 21 to Sunday, March 21, 2022.

○Saitama University’s policy for dealing with COVID-19  
　Saitama University’s policy for dealing with COVID-19 has been kept at Risk Level 2. 
　In addition to reconfirming the actions to be taken at Risk Level 2 in COVID-19 manual, please continue to take basic infection prevention measures described below.
　・ Avoid the three Cs; Closed spaces, Crowded places, Close-contact setting.
　・ Keep distance.
　・ Wear a mask.
　・ Wash and sanitize hands.
　The details of each item are as follows.

○Student 
 [Entry to Okubo campus]  
　Please continue to take basic infection prevention measures.

[Research]  
　In addition to the basic infection prevention measures, the following measures should be taken.
　・ Keep a door open as much as possible.  
　・ Record the name(s) of person(s) in the same space.

[Extracurricular activities]  
　Extracurricular activities can be done under certain restrictions while taking measures to prevent infection.  
　http://www.saitama-u.ac.jp/support/kagai/05/20220207.pdf

[Traveling abroad]  
　Please follow the infection risk information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Japan and the country/region concerned.

○Faculty members and staffs 

[Research]  
　In addition to the basic infection prevention measures, the following measures should be taken.
　・ Keep a door open as much as possible.  
　・ Record the name(s) of person(s) in the same space.  

[Domestic business trip]  
　Please continue to take basic infection prevention measures.

[Overseas business trip]  
　Please follow the infection risk information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Japan and the country/region concerned.

[Conference and Ceremony]  
　Please continue to take basic infection prevention measures.  
　The method of holding the meeting (face-to-face, remote, etc.) should be determined by the chairperson in the case of a conference, and by the organizer in the case of a ceremony.

○Administrative and technical staff 
 [Staggered commuting]  
  Staggered commuting is recommended.

[Teleworking]  
  Teleworking is recommended as much as possible.

[Infection prevention measures in the workplace]  
　Please ensure to take basic infection prevention measures and to avoid the three Cs; Closed spaces, Crowded places, Close-contact setting.  
　In particular, please pay attention to “switching places” and take thorough measures to prevent infection in break rooms, changing rooms, smoking areas, etc.

○Attached school and kindergarten 
・ Depending on the situation, staggered attendance and class shortening might be implemented. In this case, those concerned will be contacted by each school and kindergarten
・ With regard to extracurricular activities, restrictions will be applied with reference to the “Manual of Hygiene Management in Schools ” (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) and the“ Notice of Thorough COVID-19 Countermeasures in Chorus Playing at Elementary Schools, Junior High Schools, Senior High Schools and Special Needs Schools ” (December 10, 2020 Joint Notice by the Director-General of Primary and Secondary Education, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Deputy Director-General of the Agency for Cultural Affairs).  
・ Staggered commuting and teleworking are recommended for teachers and staffs.

○Outsider  
　Wearing a mask and hand hygiene are required.

  
　Among the the “Requests based on the Priority Measures for Prevention of Spread of Infectious Diseases in Saitama Prefecture” issued by the Governor of Saitama Prefecture on January 19, 2022, the requests to the citizens of Saitama Prefecture are as follows.

[Use of restaurant]  
・ Do not use restaurants and bars after the requested shortening of business hours.  
・ Refrain from using restaurants, etc. that do not have thorough infection prevention measures in place or that do not respond to the request to shorten business hours.  
(For restaurants, etc., it is recommended to use restaurants certified as “Sainokuni ‘New Lifestyle’ Safe and Secure Restaurants + (Plus)” that participate in efforts to protect the lives of customers.  
・ It is recommended to refrain from eating with more than five people in the same group or at the same table, except for certified restaurants that are subject to the vaccine and inspection package system.

[Travel across prefectural borders]  
・ Refrain as much as possible from unnecessary and unnecessary travel across prefectural borders.  
(Except in cases where it is necessary for maintaining life and health, such as visiting medical institutions, shopping for food, medicine, and daily necessities, going to work or school where necessary, and exercising or walking outdoors.)  
＊The vaccine and examination package system does not apply to travel that crosses prefectural borders.

[Going out or traveling]  
・ In addition to basic infection prevention measures (such as keeping a safe distance between people, wearing masks, and hand washing), Avoid the three Cs and do not stop at places other than your destination.  
・ Avoid crowded places and times.  
・ Refrain from eating and drinking in groups on the street or in parks, etc., where the risk of infection is high.

 [If you are concerned that you may be infected]  
　Asymptomatic people who are concerned that you may be infected should be examined, including those who have been vaccinated.

[Infection prevention measures based on the characteristics of the the Omicron variant]  
・ Eating and drinking should be done in small groups.
・ Wear a mask when talking with others.
・ Avoid going out to situations and places with high risk of infection.
・ Regularly ventilate the room and wash hands frequently at home.
・ Take thorough measures to prevent children from becoming infected.
・ The elderly and those with underlying medical conditions should meet with a small number of people they usually meet.

 [Other request]  
・ Refrain from having home parties with people other than family members living together.  
・ Go shopping alone as much as possible.