Makoto MIYATANI
Executive Vice President (Education), Hiroshima University

The final exam period of the 2nd term ended on August 5 (Thu.).

In the middle of the 1st term, Hiroshima Prefecture was declared to be in a state of emergency, and as a rule, classes had to be conducted online, which affected the first half of the 2nd term. In addition, classes were cancelled for two days in July due to heavy rain. But fortunately, we were able to complete this semester without stopping the "Learning". During this time, there was no spread of the infection through face-to-face classes, and we are grateful for everyone's daily efforts.

The two-month summer holidays began on August 6 (Fri.). Please relax and refresh your body and mind.

However, the infection is still spreading in Japan, and the government's "State of Emergency" and "Priority Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19" are spreading to various areas. In Hiroshima Prefecture as well, due to the increase in the number of infected people, the "Early Intensive Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19" have been implemented since July 31, and residents have been requested to reduce their opportunities to go out, so please continue to take thorough measures to prevent infection.

• Please refrain from unnecessary travel to and from the areas where the “State of Emergency” and “Priority Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19” have been implemented(*1)(*2). In addition, check the information issued by each local government, and make careful decisions about traveling to high-risk areas.
• When going back to the places mentioned above, please try to relax with your family and avoid eating and contact with people other than family members.
• When traveling to the places other than the above(*3), please avoid eating with other than family members.
• Please take sufficient measures to prevent infection in your daily life, such as avoiding the "Three Cs" (Closed spaces, Crowded places, Close-contact settings), wearing non-woven masks, and refraining from eating in large groups(*4). These measures should be taken even after the second vaccination has been given.
• If you move out of the prefecture, please consider when you will move to Hiroshima so that you can commute to the campus when classes start in the 2nd semester.

As a student of Hiroshima University, I expect you to observe the above rules in any place, and to act with compassion, "not to be infected" and "not to infect others". I also hope that you will have a meaningful holiday period, taking good care of your health.

(*1) If you move due to unavoidable circumstances, please take the following actions.
・Obtain the approval of the tutor or academic supervisor and fill out the report form(Microsoft Forms) in advance.
・Stay at home for 14 days from the day after moving to Hiroshima prefecture. However, if there is no problem with your physical condition, and you take the PCR test after staying at home for 5 days, and the result is negative, you can cancel the staying at home.
If you meet all of the following conditions (a) and (b), and if you are in good physical condition after moving from the target area to Hiroshima Prefecture, you can cancel the staying at home on the condition that you undergo a PCR test six days after moving.
(a) Two weeks have passed since the second vaccination.
(b) You have not eaten in the area with others, are aware of your own behavior, and are making efforts to prevent infection.
 

(*2) The on-campus PCR test for students, faculty and staff who stayed in the areas under the "State of Emergency” and the "Priority Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19" will be extended until the measures are lifted. If you wish to take the test, please be sure to confirm the attached procedure in advance.

(*3) If you move to a prefecture where "the number of newly infected people per 100,000 population in the last week is 10 or more", fill out the report form (Microsoft Forms) and report to your tutor or academic supervisor by email in advance.
 

(*4) Eating with non-family members is acceptable if you use a restaurant that has physical measures in place ("Hiroshima Active Guard Restaurant" or "New Coronavirus Infection Countermeasure Declaration Restaurant"), or in your room, if you take thorough measures to prevent droplet spray, disinfect your hands, and ventilate. However, please be sure to note the following points.
・Do not talk loudly in restaurants, or shout loudly at karaoke, events, sports games, etc.
・Do not have a dinner party if you do not know the participants and their contact information.
・Avoid eating with a large number of people for a long time.