Kyoto University’s Policy on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Ver. 7)

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The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that was first detected in Wuhan (Hubei Province, China) was added to the Japanese government’s list of designated infectious diseases on 28 January 2020 (effective from 1 February 2020).

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic, and the virus continues to spread throughout the world.

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) raised its travel warning level for the entire world to Level 2 on 25 March 2020. The level was raised in order to avoid situations whereby travelers become stranded in their destination counties/regions due to changing travel restrictions.

Based on the current situation, Kyoto University has adopted the following policy regarding overseas travel, etc. As the situation is changing rapidly, please be sure to obtain the latest information.

1. Overseas Travel

  1. Kyoto University urges its students, faculty, and staff members to avoid all international travel (both work/study-related travel and private travel):

    If you are currently overseas, please consider the necessity of an early return to Japan in order to ensure your own safety. Please take the following into consideration:
  • The local situation regarding the novel coronavirus infection
  • Medical services available
  • Travel restrictions imposed by the government in your current location
  • The possibility that you will become unable to leave the country due to border closures.

(For reference)

  1. International students and researchers who (temporally) return to their home (or other) country should take the following precautions:
  • Before departure, be sure to confirm all relevant entry restrictions and/or quarantine measures with the embassy/consulate of your destination country or the airline. Several countries have implemented strengthened quarantine measures, including isolation periods and mandatory submission of a certificate of non-infection.
  • The Japanese government has strengthened border controls and placed restrictions on entry to persons traveling from countries or areas with a risk of infection. The controls and restrictions also apply to persons who are re-entering Japan with residence status. Please also note that the Japanese government may expand the countries or areas of immigration restrictions.
  1. Both Japanese and foreign nationals traveling to Japan from certain designated countries are subject to a 14-day period of self-quarantine at a location designated by the Quarantine Office, and are instructed not to use public transport during the 14-days period (they will be instructed to travel in their own car or in a vehicle rented at the airport). If they cannot arrange such transportation, they are instructed to stay at a designated place near the airport for 14 days.

    Please confirm if your destination country has been designated by the Japanese government as subject to strengthened quarantine, and make all travel plans in compliance with the Japanese government’s instructions. Please also note that the Japanese government may expand the countries or areas subject to strengthened quarantine.

(For reference)

2. If you are traveling (or returning) to Japan from overseas

  1. Please immediately report the following information to your department: the country in which you have stayed, the date of your arrival in Japan, your health condition at the time of your arrival in Japan (whether or not you have a fever or cough, whether you have taken medicine for a fever or cough, etc.)
  2. Students, faculty, and staff who are staying currently overseas, and who have symptoms such as a fever or cough, should seek medical care at a local healthcare provider, and report the diagnosis to their department as soon as possible.
  3. If you have symptoms such as a fever or coughing upon your arrival in Japan, please be sure to report it to a quarantine officer at the airport, as well as to your department.

3. After traveling (or returning) to Japan from overseas

  1. If you have been abroad, please be sure to monitor your health for any symptoms, such as fever or coughing (recording your physical condition and temperature) for at least two weeks after arrival.
  2. Please continue to monitor your health carefully, and stay at home (studying at home, etc.) unless you must go out due to unavoidable circumstances.
  3. If you have any symptoms associated with the novel coronavirus, please do not go directly to a medical facility in person. First, be sure to consult with a consultation service or local public health center and report it to your department.

4. Regarding classes and regular examinations

Each department shall take appropriate measures to minimize the impact on students who must continue their studies, etc., while staying at home, such as setting report assignments or holding makeup exams at a later date.

5. In the case that a student, faculty, or staff member is confirmed to be infected by the novel coronavirus

Any student, faculty, or staff member who is confirmed to be infected by the novel coronavirus must either be hospitalized or recuperate at home. They are not permitted to come to the university. They must inform their department of the situation. Once they have recovered from the virus, they may come to the university only after they have submitted evidence of their full recovery issued by the doctor supervising their treatment.

6. Other important precautions

If you have any symptoms, please do not go directly to a medical facility in person. First, be sure to contact a consultation service or local public health center and follow their instructions. Please also report the matter to your department and the university clinic (075-753-2405) and continue to keep them updated of the situation.

Information issued by the university

Consultation Services

  • Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (Japanese only): 0120-565653 (toll free, 9:00–21:00)
  • Japan Visitor Hotline, Japan National Tourism Organization (English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese): 050-3816-2787 (24 hours per day)
  • Kyoto City consultation service for persons recently arrived in Japan or who may be at risk of infection (Japanese only): 075-222-3421 (24 hours per day)
  • Kyoto City International Foundation
    Interpretation Service for English and Chinese speaking foreign nationals who wish to use Kyoto City Consulting Service: 075-752-1166 (9:00–17:00)
    ・English Interpreting Service: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
    ・Chinese Interpreting Service: Wednesdays and Fridays
  • Kyoto Prefecture consultation service for persons recently arrived in Japan or who may be at risk of infection (available in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese*): 075-414-4726 (24 hours per day).
    *Note: Vietnamese support available from 8:00–22:00 only
  • Uji City, Yamashirokita Health Center (Japanese only): 0774-21-2911 (Weekdays, 8:30–17:15)

Residents of cities other than those listed above should contact the relevant consultation service or the nearest Public Health Center.

Links

Contact

Risk Management Section, General Affairs Department
E-mail: 830riskkanrikakari*mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (Please replace * with@)

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