RIJYEM
General Incorporated Association
Rotary International District of Japan Youth Exchange Multidistrict Organization

13, March 2020

COVID-19 Policy Updates (Part 3)
RIJYEM, Japan Rotary youth Exchange
The basic guidelines regarding the COVID-19 virus has been dispatched on the 25th ofFebruary. On the 9th of March, the follow up version (Part 2) has been sent out, outlining
the latest fundamental principle of RIJYEM, to send back all foreign students in Japan totheir home countries as soon as possible. Part 3 outlines the current fundamental
principle of RIJYEM regarding the Japanese students abroad, that they are to be
returned to Japan as soon as possible.
On the 12th of February, US President Donald Trump has spoken to the Americans andannounced travel restrictions from Europe to US in a bid to combat the spread of thecoronavirus. (12th March, 11.45am, NHK news)
World Health Organization, the Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,
acknowledged the new coronavirus outbreak as global crisis and declared it a global
pandemic, and pleaded world leaders to act quickly and drastically to contain the spread.
(12th March, 11.45am, NHK news)
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued special guidance
that colleges and universities should consider asking students studying abroad to returnto the United States. (9th March, Reuters)
AFS Intercultural Programs (an international organization specialized in interculturalexchange) has decided as follows: the AFS international Office and AFS Italia havedecided to suspend all programs in Italy, in response to the raised risk level by the CDC,
the restriction of the movement of 16 million people which amounts to a quarter ofpopulation, the possibility that the restricted areas are bound to be expanded in thefuture, and also because of the possibility of prolonged school closures. There are 29
senior high school students in Italy for the year-long exchange, but as soon as theirreturn flights etc. are secured, they are to be returned to Japan. (2020.3.12, AFS Japan
website)In this current global climate, it is understandable that RIJYEM is to fulfil the social
obligation as the members of Rotary International, and hence the fundamental policy
has been decided to bring back all Japanese students participating in the Rotary YouthExchange Programs abroad as soon as possible.
Your thoughtful cooperation regarding this matter would be much appreciated.
RIJYEM 2-6-15 Shibakouen Minato-ku Tokyo JAPAN 105-0011
TEL:+81-(0)3-6431-8106 FAX:+81-(0)3-6431-8017
e-mail: rijyem@air.ocn.ne.jp
URL: http://www.rijyec.org/

RIJYEM
General Incorporated Association
Rotary International District of Japan Youth Exchange Multidistrict Organization

RIJYEM District Risk Management Advisory Committee
Basic Guidelines Part 3 (12th March 2020)
Rotary International Districts of Japan YouthExchange Multidistrict Organization
Takao Suzuki
Chairman, RIJYEM1.
In line with the basic guidelines agreed on the 25th of February, the fundamental
principle of RIJYEM is to bring back all Japanese students abroad to Japan as soon aspossible.
2.
In line with this policy, it is advised that the parents and sponsoring districts/clubs
in Japan are to come together to reach an agreement, thereby respecting the opinions of
the host families and parents as much as possible, discussing thoroughly with the district
members of the country where the student is located.
A swift and concrete agreement on the matter of how to get the student back to Japan isvital, and this is only to be done together with the help of the district, rotary club andRotarians of the country where the student is placed.
3.
Regarding the possible return journey options, do contact the Japanese Embassy orJapanese Consulate nearest to the location of the host family, for advice and support (forsafe passage to the airport especially in areas of quarantine).
Additionally, it is advisable to get in touch with the Embassy or Consulate of the country
concerned in Japan, to get the latest information regarding the situation of the country
where the student is staying.
4.
The executive responsibility of the Youth Exchange Programs lies in the hands ofgovernors of each district, and the governor is to finalize the decision.
Postscript:
The principle policy has been outlined as above, but the practical application should bebased upon discussions of what would be the most suitable for the welfare of the student
concerned. As in Italy, some countries may already find organizing travel a huge struggle.
Basic guidelines are to be the foundation, yet it is strongly advised that theimplementable practicable solution is to be found through thorough discussions among
the families, parents and sponsoring clubs of Japan, together with the host families, hostclub/districts of the country where the student is located.

RIJYEM 2-6-15 Shibakouen Minato-ku Tokyo JAPAN 105-0011
TEL:+81-(0)3-6431-8106 FAX:+81-(0)3-6431-8017
e-mail: rijyem@air.ocn.ne.jp
URL: http://www.rijyec.org/