For students and faculty members of graduate school of biomedical engineering

Response of Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering inTohoku University Action Guidelines (BCP) Level 1
2020.06.19.
COVID19 Countermeasures Headquarters
Tohoku University's Action Guidelines Level (BCP) was lowered to Level 1 on 19th June, 2020.
In line with this, the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering will ensure the health and safety ofstudents and faculty members by applying the guidelines below.
The main differences from the previous version are related to the restrictions on• research contents,• accepting researchers from outside the prefecture,• business trips within Japan,• changes in body temperature records, etc.
This time, you do not need to submit the “Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering ResearchActivity Application Form”, but please find the details below.
[Research activities]
1. When the person in charge of the laboratory (professor/associate professor) determines that
research activities are necessary, he/she has to fulfill the following requirements:(1) research activities by people with poor physical condition are prohibited(2) consider the number of people being present in the laboratory at the same time to ensure aphysical distancing of at least 2 meters, and establish a research environment that avoids the 3Cs(3) wash your hands (alcohol disinfection if possible) when entering or leaving the laboratory(4) try to minimize the time spent on the lab(5) try to minimize conversation, and always wear a mask during a conversation(6) do not share materials and equipment used for research as much as possible; if it isunavoidable, always perform sufficient disinfection(7) take measures to prevent infection (wearing a mask, etc.) even on your way to the laboratory*If it is difficult to meet the above conditions, report your specific situation to the dean in advanceand obtain permission before starting the research activities.
2. Regarding human studies, the following items should be also considered in addition to the abovementioned points:(1) equipment and materials that come into contact with the human body should be disposable asmuch as possible; if it is not possible, it should be disinfected before use(2) check the health condition of the subject; if there is a chance for infection (any symptom ispresent), do not carry out experiments/measurements(3) both researchers and subjects should wash their hands and wear a mask
3. Those who conduct research activities shall consider the following requirements in their daily lives:(1) people reporting the new coronavirus infection do not go to work or school, and immediately
report the case to the COVID19 Countermeasures Headquarters, Graduate School of Biomedical
Engineering for instructions(2) people with poor physical condition (with symptoms other than those for new coronavirus) canonly restart their research activities after staying at home for a minimum of 48 hours, when total
recovery is confirmed

(3) avoid having conversations with people other than those who you live/work together, and do
not sit face-to-face with each other(4) avoid going out and spend your time at home; try to avoid 3Cs while the BCP guidelines areapplied(5) part-time jobs in places that cannot avoid the 3Cs are prohibited(6) even when traveling within the prefectural border, please check the status of your destination
for infection and countermeasures (e.g. in case of homecoming) and make safe choices
4. When conducting research activities, record the following items in the Google spreadsheet on theshared drive:(1) name(2) entrance/exit time(3) place (department, laboratory, cafeteria, etc.)(4) body temperature (other than numerical values such as "normal" and "no fever" are allowed),
symptoms (cough/sputum, problems with breathing or taste, etc.), presence of olfactory disorder,sore throat, nasal discharge, myalgia, headache, diarrhea/vomiting[Classes (lectures, experiments, practical trainings), examinations]
In cases where regular classes (e.g. practical courses, experiments, and practical trainings) areindispensable, take sufficient measures to prevent infection.
Meetings: should be online
Administrative services: will be almost back to normal, but staff should continue to observe
preventive measures to avoid infection[Business trips]
1. Points to keep in mind when traveling on business (domestic)(1) to reduce contact with others, avoid unnecessary and unhurried business trips that involvecross-prefectural travel(2) be aware of the local infection situation in the area you are traveling to(3) try to avoid traveling to potentially infectious areas(4) when traveling on business, keep a record of the people you meet, the time, place and the routehas taken so that you can trace your steps if necessary(5) do not travel if you feel unwell, have a fever, cough, shortness of breath or other symptoms ofillness(6) confirm in advance the required measures in case of getting sick during a business trip(7) have a contingency plan so that you can change or cancel the trip if you have to
2. Precautions when using trains, airplanes, buses and other forms of transportation(1) do not travel if you are unwell(2) try to avoid traveling during peak hours and refrain from talking during the ride(3) keep in mind travel etiquette. Ensure that you wear a mask and that your mouth is covered
when you cough/sneeze(4) disinfect your hands with an alcohol disinfectant and wash your hands frequently with soapand water(5) avoid crowded areas in waiting rooms at airports and train stations, wear a mask and refrainfrom talking(6) when buying a ticket, waiting for a ride, or moving through a train station, keep at least onemeter between you and other passengers whenever possible(7) avoid touching handrails and other surfaces(8) do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth

(9) refrain from eating and drinking as much as possible while traveling; if you have to eat ordrink, wash or disinfect your hands before and after.
(10) try to make cashless payments to reduce the amount of cash you need to handle[In case of suspected infection]
If you are a faculty member/student of the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering and COVID19
infection is suspected, please fill in the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering New Coronavirus
Infection Report Form on the following link
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc5AyCOwJGHTiS6US1OjN_KLvj9UQfu1apXFpQo45
p18i1MHg/viewform
and also report your case to the COVID19 Countermeasures Headquarters:
bme-covid19@grp.tohoku.ac.jp* Also, we kindly ask the corresponding person of other laboratories, faculties, and graduate schools
to share the information with the COVID19 Countermeasures Headquarters of the Graduate School of
Biomedical Engineering when a new case occurs.
<Who must report>(1) those suspected of being infected
1. affected by a cohabitant
2. people who contacted the call center in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture and were instructed
3. people who have received medical instruction at the instruction of the call center(2) those who are considered to be direct contacts*(3) those who underwent a PCR test
※ Definition of direct contacts• people who stayed in the area for a long time (2 minutes or more) on the day when and where theinfected person also used to stay (e.g. in the same room)• people who stayed in the same building where the infected person used to stay and might also use
shared items (PC, sofa, pot, fridge, remote control, etc.)• people who stayed in the area one day after the infected person used to stay and might also use
shared items• if you had a talk with the infected person within 2 meters for more than 2 minutes