Organizers’ COVID-19 countermeasures at the 17th World Conference on Earthquake
Engineering (17WCEE)At the venue, infection prevention measures are being taken in accordance with Sendai City’s guidelines to ensure that all participants
can attend the conference safely and securely.

１．Social distancing◆

The layout in the venue will be arranged to ensure that the distance between chairs is at least 1 meter.

◆In the main hall, there will be one empty seat between seats that can be used, and there will be labels on the seats that cannot
be used.

◆In crowded areas such as the reception area, floor stickers will be affixed to indicate the distance that should be maintained byparticipants.

◆The use of elevators is prohibited in principle, except for use in special circumstances.

◆Acrylic panels will be placed at the reception desk, lunchroom, break spaces, and secretariat to prevent droplet infections.

２．Disinfection, cleaning, and ventilation◆Participants will be reminded to wash and disinfect their hands regularly, and to practice general hygiene such as proper
coughing and sneezing etiquette.

◆At the session rooms, alcohol disinfectant will be used on microphones and podiums when speakers change.

◆Hand sanitizer will be placed at the entrances to the Sendai International Center, conference rooms, and restrooms.

◆Reception equipment will be disinfected on a regular basis.

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Disinfecting staff will be assigned to the lunchroom and break areas as needed and carry out proper disinfection.

◆All venues will be ventilated using air conditioners and ventilation fans.

３．Eating and drinking spaces◆

Eating spaces will only be designated by the organizer, and silent eating will be encouraged.

◆Coffee breaks will be held in the same venue as the lunchroom.

◆In other spaces, only drinking beverages for the purpose of rehydration will be allowed.

◆No trash cans will be set up, and all trash must be taken home by the participants.

４．Health of general participants and management of their movements◆

Temperature checks will be conducted at the entrance of the Sendai International Center.

◆Participants who have a fever with a temperature more than 1 degree above normal (37.5℃) will not be allowed to enter thevenue.

◆If more people than the number of seats available enter a session room, the staff will refuse entry and ask the participants toparticipate online.

◆A system to track who enters and leaves each room has been introduced. Management will be conducted by having participants
scan a QR code when entering and leaving each room.
(Aimed at all visitors to the Sendai International Center, including participants, organizers, and staff)

５．Response to staff and contractors◆

If staff members or contractors have a fever with a temperature more than 1 degree above normal (37.5℃), or if they feelunwell such as coughing or breathlessness, even if it is mild, they will refrain from coming to the venue.

<Staff>◆Every morning before they come to the venue, staff will be asked to fill out a health conditions questionnaire, including on
their body temperature.

◆Antigen tests for staff will be conducted before entering the venue with confirmation that they test negative.

<Contractors entering and exiting the venue>◆A list of workers and staff will be prepared and managed both during venue set-up and removal times as well as on the daysof the conference.

◆Workers will be required to check their own health conditions, including temperature checks.

６．Other◆

Signs will be made to inform participants about major infection prevention measures and call for the prevention of infections.

◆In order to prevent infections, each participant will be asked to carry his or her own event bag and other items instead ofhanding them over.

◆Participants will be asked to take care of their own baggage as much as possible, and cloakrooms will not be set up.

◆Presenters are required to wear masks while giving presentations at the podium.

◆The use of hand dryers in the restrooms is prohibited.