April 19, 2021
(updated April 23, 2021)
(updated May 10, 2021)
(updated May 11, 2021)
(updated May 31, 2021)

Japan’s government has decided to allow Saitama prefecture to take “Stricter Anti-Coronavirus Measures” without an emergency declaration, as coronavirus cases are rising again there. The intensive measures will come into effect on April 20 and remain in place until May 11. On May 8, these measures extended until May 31. On May 28, these measures have been extended until June 20. 

While many members of the association are working to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is regrettable that a large number of students from a certain club had a dinner party, and as of today, 12 students have been infected with COVID-19. This case did not reach the certification of cluster by Saitama City. However, in order not to cause such a situation, and in order to protect the health of yourself and your family and the region, please strictly observe the following matters.

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Saitama University’s policy for dealing with COVID-19 has been kept at Risk Level 2. However, there is no indication that this situation is being brought under control and the risk of infection remains high. Furthermore, some variants are spreading all over Japan recently. Saitama University ask our students, faculty and staff to act with a strong awareness of “not getting infected” and “not letting others get infected” all the time, and  take the following actions in order to protect the lives and health.

・Act in accordance with “COVID-19 Infection Countermeasure.”
・Act in accordance with “Saitama University Students Behavioral Guidelines.”

Due to the “Stricter Anti-Coronavirus Measures”, the Governor of Saitama Prefecture request residents of Saitama prefecture take the following actions. 

・ Refrain from eating out after 8 p.m.(Saitama city, Kawaguchi city, Tokorozawa city, Soka city, Koshigaya city, Warabi city, Toda city, Asaka city, Shiki city, Wako city, Niiza city, Fujimi city, Fijimino city and Miyoshi town) or 9 p.m. (the other cities in Saitama prefecture).
・ Refrain from traveling across prefectural. (Specially, Tokyo, Osaka and the other prefectures which are in a state of emergency.)
・ Refrain from going out unnecessarily.
・ Refrain from using Karaoke machine at an eating place.
・ Keep distance.
・ Wear a mask.
・ Avoid closed spaces and crowded times..
・ Refrain from using restaurants where the thorough measures to stop the spread of infection are not taken
・ Refrain from eating and drinking on a road or in a park.
・ Eat in silence and only speak when masks are on.
・ Dine with a family living together. Refrain from dining in a group with more than four in a long time.
・ Wash your hands, Disinfect your hands.
・ Avoid the three Cs; Closed spaces, Crowded places, Close-contact setting.
・ Do a shopping alone as much as possible.

on April 20, Saitama University was also required by MEXT to make fully students known to take the following actions. These actions continue to be required. 

・Refrain from going arranging a welcoming/sending-off party.
・Avoid “5 situations” that increase the risk of infection
       Situation①　Social gatherings with drinking alcohol
       Situation②　Long feasts in large groups
       Situation③　Conversation without a mask
       Situation④　Living together in a small limited space
       Situation⑤　Switching locations
・Reconfirm the risk of infection. Most of infected young people in their 20s or 30s are asymptomatic or only have had mild symptoms. But please remember that the symptoms might become sever and the aftereffects of the COVID-19 is unknown.

On May 7, MEXT alerted to the extracurricular activities.
・ Take care of your health condition by yourself on a daily basis.
・ Refrain from participating in the activities when you have a fever or other symptoms.
・ Take temperature every morning.
    (There are some clinical thermometer on campus. If you don’t know their installation places, please come to Students’ Center or Health Center. )

We recommend installing the contact-confirming application.
・COCOA / Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
・COVID-19 LINE Notification system / Saitama prefecture (Japanese only)

【Reference】
Thoroughness of COVID-19 Infection countermeasures