Makoto MIYATANI
Executive Vice President (Education), Hiroshima University

The infection situation of COVID-19 is unpredictable, and while the national "declaration of emergency for COVID-19" and the "second intensive measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19" have been issued, the final exam period for the 4th term has ended on Friday, February 5th at HU.

This academic year, we started with the cancellation of the face-to-face class in the first term, and after that, we gradually expanded the face-to-face class based on the infection situation, but the class format has changed significantly and it was difficult for students to get used to it. Even so, it was the result of each and every one of you that we were able to complete the one-year class without stopping learning. We are proud of you. Under these circumstances, the university was able to discover the merits of online lessons, which provided an opportunity to think about the future of lessons. We will lead to new developments from next academic year.

Some of you may be returning home as you approach the holidays at the end of the academic year. We would like you to relax both physically and mentally during the holidays and cultivate your spirit for the new year.

However, the state of emergency has been extended, and there is still no prospect of ending the infection. Continue to avoid high-risk behaviors such as eating and drinking with non-family members, karaoke with friends, and staying at friends' homes. At the same time, be sure to wear a mask and wash your hands, and keep a daily health check and action record, as well as report after moving to an area where “the number of newly infected people per 100,000 population in the last week is 5 or more”. In addition, if you have symptoms such as fever or fatigue, please consult your doctor or "Active Guard Dial (Consultation Desk)" immediately.

In addition, it may be time to plan a graduation trip or a farewell party in the usual year, ahead of graduation / completion. But this year the situation is completely different. Unfortunately, in order to be aware of our social responsibility and prevent infection, please refrain from taking actions that increase the risk of spreading infection, such as traveling with a large number of people or having dinner.

We hope that all students will have a meaningful holiday while paying close attention to their health.

[2021.2.22 updated]If you are going to attend an intensive lecture or take a final exam face-to-face, please continue to take basic infection prevention measures by yourself. In addition, please pay attention to the following points.

• Even when moving between your home and campus, please take sufficient measures to prevent infection.
• If you move to an area subject to a state of emergency, please stay at home for 14 days from the day you move from the target area to Hiroshima Prefecture and the day after you move (15 days in total). After staying at home for 5 days, if you take the PCR test at your own expense and the result is negative, you can cancel the staying at home.
  https://momiji.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/momiji-top/learning/20201214alert_to_prevent_spread_of_covid-19.html
• Regardless of whether moving or not, check your daily health condition, and if you have a cold symptom such as fever or fatigue, call immediately your doctor or active guard dial (consultation desk) without looking at the situation for a while.
  https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/2020covid-19
• If you have any concerns about your mental or physical condition, please consult the Health Service Center.
  https://momiji.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/momiji-top/learning/what_you_can_do_for_mental_maintenance.html

We will inform you about the implementation policy of classes after April, but it is necessary to continue to reduce the risk of spread of infection due to the gathering of students at once. If the infection situation does not improve, we may ask those who are returning home to return to Hiroshima Prefecture as soon as possible in preparation for face-to-face lessons. Please pay attention to the information.