July 1, 2021
(Protocol Version 31)

Kumamoto University’s Correspondence to the Outbreak of the COVID-19(Protocol Version 31)
In order to control/prevent the virus transmission, all faculty members, professors, and students ofKumamoto University (hereafter KU) are encouraged to take precautionary measures including the following
but not limited to;-Always wear a mask regardless of your showing any symptoms or not-

Wash your hands properly and frequently (rub alcohol hand-sanitizer* on to your hands and between
fingers) *in the case of its being difficult to find hand-sanitizer, use hand soap and wash hands under
running water instead-

In case of having a fever, contact your family doctor as soon as you find out and stay behind at home

Please note that all precautions should be taken as if to prevent other infectious diseases such as common
cold and influenza.
Also, since there is the significant number of transmission cases by people, who have no symptoms
shown, has been reported, these asymptomatic/pre-symptomatic coronavirus carriers are most likely
contributing to the rapid spread of the coronavirus. Therefore, changing the way of your thinking must be
done, and you should think that you are one of these asymptomatic/pre-symptomatic coronavirus carriersand consider what each one of you should or should not do in your daily life to prevent from transmitting
the virus you might carry to the others around you. This should be considered as “the new normal.”
To All Kumamoto University Students
As to students’ countermeasures during this pandemic situation, they should follow and execute what is
mentioned in any announcements/notifications published by the Director/Vice-President (in the Educationaland Student Support Division) and each Faculty/Department.
[General Notes][Classes][Travelling to the Other Prefectures for Job Hunting, Etc.][Going Abroad]https://www.facebook.com/kumamotouniversityiso (please refer to the post on May 14, 2021)[Health Self-Maintenance]a. Take your body temperature and self-check your condition every morning (utilize the self-observation
sheet and make a list of all the places you have visited and all the people you have made contact within case you are to be requested to report to the Public Health Centre.)b. When having cold-like symptoms, stay at home and contact a medical institution to consult yoursymptoms. If the medical institution determines that a PCR test needs to be taken, inform yourfaculty/department office. When you think you are ready to go back to school, be sure to ask for
instructions from the Kumamoto University Health Center first by phone (096-342-2164) or email

July 1, 2021
(Protocol Version 31)(hoken@jimu.kumamoto-u.ac.jp.) You must stay at home for at least 8 days after onset and for 3 days
after your fever goes back down. That means that you would have to stay home until 3 days after
your fever going down to your normal temperature even though it went over the mandatory 8 days.
c.

In case of having any symptoms including a fever, avoid visiting a general hospital, instead, phone a
local clinic or your family doctor first (they will give you a referral to another local medical institution
if they cannot take you as their patient.)
If you are not sure where to call, please contact "dial for exclusive use of patients with fever" at 0570096-567 to find out which medical institution can take you in.
[Coronavirus Support Center or the Help Line]
In case of any symptoms such as a fever:1)

Consult with your family doctor or local medical clinic first2)

Call "dial for exclusive use of patients with fever" line only if you do not know who to consult
with
TEL 0570-096-567 (available 24 hours)

Residents outside of Kumamoto City: Consultation Counter (Call center) for Exclusive Use of
Kumamoto New Model Coronavirus Infectious Disease
TEL 096-300-5909 (available 24 hours)
Foreign Residents: Kumamoto Consultation and Support Plaza for Foreign Residents
TEL 096-359-4995 (everyday from 10 AM to 6 PM, excluding 2nd and 4th Sundays)
E-Mail soudan@kumamoto-if.or.jp
d. Also, please contact your department, professor, and KU Health Care Centre at 096-342-2164 not
only prior to but also after your PCR test.
[Infection Prevention]a.

Take thorough infection prevention measures.

b.

For your information, please watch the instructional video to learn “How to Prevent Infection”(Japanese contents.)

https://md.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/course/view.php?id=94282[Domestic Travels/Outings among Prefectures**]a.

Please refrain from going to all areas where the state of emergency or stricter measures to preventthe spread of the virus have been declared/applied unless it is a necessary and/or an urgent
matter.** Which excludes a visitation to a medical institution, grocery/medical supply shopping, commuting toworkplaces, exercising outside to keep your health and fitness.
** https://corona.go.jp/emergency/ (contents available in Japanese only)July 1, 2021
(Protocol Version 31)[Going Abroad]a.

As advised on Overseas Safety Information published by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, do nottravel to any of the LEVEL 3 areas/regions/countries below listed (including both personal andbusiness trips.)

b. Avoid taking non-emergency and/or unnecessary trips to any of the LEVEL 2 areas/regions/countries.
c.

If you must plan an unavoidable trip abroad with a specific reason, ensure to notify to staff of General
Affairs Section at your department if you are a faculty personnel or to staff of Educational Affairs at
your faculty/school if you are a student in order to take a necessary procedure prior to yourdeparture. When travelling, please ensure to check and pay attention to the most up-to-date
information by accessing Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan’s website*** and Ministry of Health,
Labor and Welfare Quarantine Station’s website****.
*** http://www2.anzen.mofa.go.jp (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan)**** https://www.forth.go.jp/topics/fragment6.html (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
Quarantine Station)d. Please visit Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s website for more related information.
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/newpage_00032.html (Japanese contents)[Returning from Your Trip from Other Countries]a.

Prior to entering Japan, any returnees and visitors from other countries are requested to check the
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website for the most up-to-date information regarding
Japanese border measures and follow any instructions given by the Quarantine Station (which
includes providing a certificate of negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure time fromoriginated county, the 14-day self-quarantine period at a specific place designated by the Quarantine
Station Director and health observation during the period, refrainment of the use of public
transportation, etc.)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/newpage_00032.html (English)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/covid19_qa_kanrenkigyou_00001.
html (Japanese)b. Ensure to utilize the self-observation sheet in order to maintain and observe your health condition
during the 14-day quarantine period (which counts from the next day of your arrival date in Japan)
and send the sheet to KU Health Centre via FAX or e-mail when the period is over.
[Attending Events]a. In case of planning and organizing any events, it should be carefully planned and managed inaccordance with “Guideline for Organizing and Having Events (applies until August for the time
being” published by Kumamoto Prefecture, and attendees’ health and safety concerns should betaken care of as the first priority.
https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/uploaded/attachment/145287.pdf (available in Japanese only)
b. As the cases so far have shown, any events, which are held at any venues where it is poorly
ventilated, densely crowded, also a high risk of having unpredictable contacts with an unspecified

July 1, 2021
(Protocol Version 31)
majority is present, have tendencies of higher risks of creating potential clusters, you should makeyour judgement on attending such events corresponding to the Kumamoto Prefectural Notification
mentioned above.
c.

Please continue to pay attention and take enough precautions when having lunch/dinner/drinks bylimiting the number of people in a group as much as possible, having with the people you usually
stay with, and taking thorough infection prevention measures. In particular, refrain from holding any
workshops, parties, or events which involve face-to-face conversations and a high possibility of close
contact among participants. When holding an event over lunch/dinner/drinks with carefulprevention measures, please refer to the “Four Steps to Lower Risks of Spreading Infection at
Lunch/Dinner Meetings” published by Kumamoto Prefecture.
*https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/soshiki/30/93983.html (available in Japanese only)[Obtaining the Most Up-To-Date Information]
The most current information is available and should be obtained from each of the following website;
Ministry of Education: [COVID-19］Information about MEXT’s measures
https://www.mext.go.jp/en/mext_00006.html
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare: About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/newpage_00032.htm
Office for Novel Coronavirus Disease Control, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of Japan, (Cabinet
Secretariat):
https://corona.go.jp/ (contents available in Japanese only)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/ (contents available in Japanese only)
Ministry of Justice: Information Related to New Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19) from Immigration
Services Agency
http://www.moj.go.jp/EN/nyuukokukanri/kouhou/m_nyuukokukanri01_00003.html
Kumamoto Prefecture: Information Related to New Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19)
https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/site/covid-19/ (contents available in Japanese only)

To All Faculty/Department Staff Members[Health Self-Maintenance]a.

Take your body temperature and self-check your condition every morning (utilize the self-observation
sheet and make a list of all the places you have visited and all the people you have made contact within case you are to be requested to report to the Public Health Centre.)b.

When having cold-like symptoms, stay at home and contact a medical institution to consult yoursymptoms. If the medical institution determines that a PCR test needs to be taken, inform yourfaculty/department office. When you think you are ready to go back to work, be sure to ask for
instructions from the Kumamoto University Health Center first by phone (096-342-2164) or email(hoken@jimu.kumamoto-u.ac.jp.) You must stay at home for at least 8 days after onset and for 3 days
after your fever goes back down. That means that you would have to stay home until 3 days afterJuly 1, 2021
(Protocol Version 31)
your fever going down to your normal temperature even though it went over the mandatory 8 days.
c.

In case of having any symptoms including a fever, avoid visiting a general hospital, instead, phone a
local clinic or your family doctor first (they will give you a referral to another local medical institution
if they cannot take you as their patient.)
If you are not sure where to call, please contact "dial for exclusive use of patients with fever" at 0570096-567 to find out which medical institution can take you in.
[Coronavirus Support Center or the Help Line]
In case of any symptoms such as a fever:1)

Consult with your family doctor or local medical clinic first2)

Call "dial for exclusive use of patients with fever" line only if you do not know who to consult
with
TEL 0570-096-567 (available 24 hours)
Residents outside of Kumamoto City: Consultation Counter (Call center) for Exclusive Use of
Kumamoto New Model Coronavirus Infectious Disease
TEL 096-300-5909 (available 24 hours)
Foreign Residents: Kumamoto Consultation and Support Plaza for Foreign Residents
TEL 096-359-4995 (everyday from 10 AM to 6 PM, excluding 2nd and 4th Sundays)
E-Mail soudan@kumamoto-if.or.jp

d. Also, please contact your department, professor, and KU Health Care Centre at 096-342-2164 not
only prior to but also after your PCR test.
[Infection Prevention]
a. Take thorough infection prevention measures.
b. Minimize having any face-to-face meetings by limiting the length of them, regular ventilating themeeting room, using separate rooms, or even utilizing online meeting system.
c.

If your work involves face-to-face contacts with others, take prevention measures by leaving enoughspaces among people.

[Domestic Travels/Outings among Prefectures**]a.

Please avoid going to all areas where the state of emergency or stricter measures to prevent the
spread of the virus have been declared/applied unless it is a necessary and/or an urgent matter.**Which excludes a visitation to a medical institution, grocery/medical supply shopping, commuting
to workplaces, exercising outside to keep your health and fitness.
** https://corona.go.jp/emergency/ (contents available in Japanese only)July 1, 2021
(Protocol Version 31)[Going Abroad]a.

As advised on Overseas Safety Information published by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, do nottravel to any of the LEVEL 3 areas/regions/countries below listed (including both personal andbusiness trips.)

b. Avoid taking non-emergency and/or unnecessary trips to any of the LEVEL 2 areas/regions/countries.
c.

If you must plan an unavoidable trip abroad with a specific reason, ensure to notify to staff of General
Affairs Section at your faculty/department in order to take a necessary procedure prior to yourdeparture***. When travelling, please ensure to check and pay attention to the most up-to-date
information by accessing Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan’s website**** and Ministry of Health,
Labor and Welfare Quarantine Station’s website*****.
*** please refer to the announcement issued by the Director / Vice President (Research / Global
Strategy Section)**** http://www2.anzen.mofa.go.jp (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan)***** https://www.forth.go.jp/topics/fragment6.html (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
Quarantine Station)d. Please visit Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s website for more related information.
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/newpage_00032.html (Japanese contents)[Returning from Your Trip from Other Countries]
a. Prior to entering Japan, any returnees and visitors from other countries are requested to check the
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website for the most up-to-date information regarding
Japanese border measures and follow any instructions given by the Quarantine Station (which
includes providing a certificate of negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure time fromoriginated county, the 14-day self-quarantine period at a specific place designated by the Quarantine
Station Director and health observation during the period, refrainment of the use of public
transportation, etc.)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/newpage_00032.html (English)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/covid19_qa_kanrenkigyou_00001.
html (Japanese)b. Ensure to utilize the self-observation sheet in order to maintain and observe your health condition
during the 14-day quarantine period (which counts from the next day of your arrival date in Japan)
and send the sheet to KU Health Centre via FAX or e-mail when the period is over.
[Attending Events]a.

In case of planning and organizing any events, it should be carefully planned and managed inaccordance with “Guideline for Organizing and Having Events (applies until August for the time
being” published by Kumamoto Prefecture, and attendees’ health and safety concerns should betaken care of as the first priority.
https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/uploaded/attachment/145287.pdf (available in Japanese only)

b. As the cases so far have shown, any events, which are held at any venues where it is poorly

July 1, 2021
(Protocol Version 31)
ventilated, densely crowded, also a high risk of having unpredictable contacts with an unspecified
majority is present, have tendencies of higher risks of creating potential clusters, you should makeyour judgement on attending such events corresponding to the Kumamoto Prefectural Notification
mentioned above.
c.

Please continue to pay attention and take enough precautions when having lunch/dinner/drinks bylimiting the number of people in one group as much as possible, having with the people you usually
stay with, and taking thorough infection prevention measures. In particular, refrain from holding any
workshops, parties, or events which involve face-to-face conversations and a high possibility of close
contact among participants. When holding an event over lunch/dinner/drinks with careful prevention
measures, please refer to the “Four Steps to Lower Risks at Lunch/Dinner Meetings” published by
Kumamoto Prefecture*.
*https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/soshiki/30/93983.html (available in Japanese only)[Obtaining the Most Up-To-Date Information]
The most current information is available and should be obtained from each of the following website;
Ministry of Education: [COVID-19］Information about MEXT’s measures
https://www.mext.go.jp/en/mext_00006.html
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare: About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/newpage_00032.htm
Office for Novel Coronavirus Disease Control, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of Japan, (Cabinet Secretariat):
https://corona.go.jp/ (contents available in Japanese only)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/ (contents available in Japanese only)
Ministry of Justice: Information Related to New Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19) from Immigration Services
Agencyhttp://www.moj.go.jp/EN/nyuukokukanri/kouhou/m_nyuukokukanri01_00003.html
Kumamoto Prefecture: Information Related to New Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19)
https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/site/covid-19/ (contents available in Japanese only)

General Affairs Division
Ext. 3117 & 3118