Research Guidelines Aimed at Preventing the COVID-19 Outbreaks Within the National Institute for Natural Sciences (NIBB, NIPS, IMS, and EXCELLS)
Level

Stage

０

No Restrictions

0.5

Partial Restrictions

Minimum Range
1Restrictions

General Research Activities

Joint Research

Research Activities Involving Face to Face Gatherings
Involving Multiple People

Meetings Within the InstituteResearch activities may still be conducted. However, theResearch activities may still be conducted. However, theNon-essential or non-urgent gatherings will be prohibited.

Meetings may still be conducted while giving the highest priority tohighest priority needs to be given to preventing further

highest priority needs to be given to preventing further

It is recommended that any unavoidable engagements thatpreventing further COVID-19 outbreaks when doing so. Online meetings

COVID-19 outbreaks when doing so.

COVID-19 outbreaks when doing so.

researchers may have be moved to an online format.

are recommended under this scenario.

Research activities may still be conducted with the highest

Joint research can still be conducted with the highest

Non-essential or non-urgent gatherings will be prohibited.

The frequency and number of meetings held should be reduced to the bare

※Researchers from overseas will be able

priority being given to preventing further COVID-19

priority being given to preventing further COVID-19

It is recommended that any events of this type thatminimum, and moved to an online format when possible.

to visit the institute after a period of 2

outbreaks when doing so.

outbreaks when doing so. However, researchers living inresearchers may have be moved to an online format.

All employees should endeavor toreduce the amount of time they spend in the institute, while
also attempting to conduct their work at home when possible.

Notes

weeks having elapsed. Said researcher

areas of boasting high infection rates may no longer be able

should also not show symptoms such as

to visit the 3 institutes. Online collaboration is still possible.

a cough or fever.

（※）
Only employees conducting ongoing research will be allowed

Joint research can be continued if it pertains to ongoing

Face to face gatherings will be prohibited. All gatherings will

The number of meetings to be held should be reduced to a bare minimum,

These guidelines are in keeping with theto enter any relevant labs or facilities. This is to ensure theexperiments/research. This will be contingent on theneed to be conducted online.

and conducted exclusively online.

emergency declaration issued by thecontinuation of any experiments/research being conducted.

research/experiment itself, its contents as well as whether

Aichi Prefectural government on April

these factors are sufficient to gain permission from the10th, 2020

Medium Range

Please note that entry can only be authorized by the head ofRestrictions

the relevant lab/facility (i.e. the PI). Lab members should2also endeavor to reduce the amount of time they spend in theinstitute, while each division needs to discuss the possibility

relevant PI. However, the overall manner joint research is
conducted will be based on the guidelines provided on theleft.

of conducting work at home whenever possible.
Entry into laboratories or facilities will be prohibited in allcases except those listed below. Permission to enter will

Joint research will cease under these restrictions. However,Face to face gatherings will be prohibited. All gatherings will

The number of meetings to be held should be reduced to a bare minimum,Transition to level 3 restrictions will bethis will not apply to joint research conducted online.

need to be conducted online.

and conducted exclusively online.

decided at a meeting attended by theneed to be attained from said institute’s director general

heads of the three research institutions(or the director general of EXCELLS) through thein Okazaki.

relevant PI.
1)
Maximum Range

Staff members engaged in ongoing research conducted
over a long period of time or research which will take3Restrictions

considerable damage should it be stopped.
2)

Staff members tasked with suspending or stopping
ongoing tasks.

3)

Staff members tasked with intermittent work such as
those upkeeping research materials (i.e. tending toanimals, replenishment of liquid nitrogen,refrigeration repair) or server maintenance.

Only staff members tasked with intermittent work such as

Joint research will cease under these restrictions. However,Face to face gatherings will be prohibited. All gatherings will

The number of meetings to be held should be reduced to a bare minimum,Transition to level 4 restrictions will bethose involved in research material upkeep (i.e. tending tothis will not apply to joint research conducted online.

need to be conducted online.

and conducted exclusively online.

decided at a meeting attended by theanimals, replenishing of liquid nitrogen, refrigeration repair)
In Principle Cessation ofor server maintenance can enter laboratories to perform

All Institute Activities

these tasks. This can be performed upon permission being

4

attained from the institute’s director general (or theEXCELLS director general) and should be performed to theextent that research can be conducted at a bare minimum.
＊Research activities that fall under level 2, 3 and 4 restrictions but can be conducted in an online capacity will not have restrictions applied to them.
＊Please take care that contact between staff members who have arrived via areas subject to the declaration of emergency issued by the Japanese government is avoided to the highest degree possible.

heads of the three research institutions
in Okazaki.