August 2, 2021
Updated August 27, 2021
Updated September 13, 2021

In accordance with the “Declaration of Emergency for the COVID-19” issued by the Japanese government on August 2, 2021, and with the “Emergency Measures in Saitama Prefecture after January 8” issued by the Governor of Saitama Prefecture, Saitama University will raise its policy for dealing with the new coronavirus infection from the current risk level 2 to level 3 from August 2 (Mon.) for the purpose of controlling the spread of the new coronavirus infection and protecting the health of students and faculty members. The content of each response will be as follows, based on the Saitama University Students Behavioral Guidelines.

 ○Students

【Okubo Campus】
  From August 2 (Mon.) to September 30（Thu）September 12 (Sun) August 31 (Tue) , students are not allowed to enter the Okubo Campus. However, in addition to the following, students may enter the campus if they wish to borrow books in the library, if they take regular exams or if they are called to come by a faculty member.
 
【Classes】
  Face-to-face classes, including experiments, practical training, and skills training, will be cancelled. However, classes will continue to be conducted face-to-face if the instructor deems it necessary. 

【Laboratory Research Activities】
 All research experiments will be cancelled. However, permission will be given in the following cases when the supervising professor deems it necessary.

1. When experiments conducted by undergraduate/graduate students who are expected to graduate in March
2. When experiments conducted by doctoral students who are expected to graduate in September
3. When organisms used in experiments need to be maintained and managed
4. When liquid nitrogen and liquid helium in the equipment needs to be maintained and managed
5. When chemicals used for research on poisonous and deleterious substances for research need to be maintained and managed
6. When core infrastructure (experimental equipment and facilities, information systems, etc.) for research need to be in operation, maintained and managed
7. To provide assistance with various safety measures to ensure the continuation of research activities
8. All other cases in which it is particularly necessary to conduct research, etc.

 【Extracurricular Activities】
  Extracurricular activities on and off campus are prohibited. However, if the SU Director of the Integrated Career Center, via the activity advisor, deems it particularly necessary, it will be permitted.

【Traveling Abroad】
  Please follow the infection risk information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Japan and the country/region concerned. 

 ○Faculty and Staff

【Classes】
 Face-to-face classes, including experiments, practical training, and skills training, will be cancelled. However, classes will continue to be conducted face-to-face if the instructor deems it necessary.

【Laboratory Research Activities】
  Only those who are necessary for the continuation of the ongoing experiment or research and only the minimum number of people permitted by the faculty member in charge of the laboratory will be allowed to enter the laboratory.

【Domestic Business Travel】
  All will basically be prohibited. However, if there is special need, it may be permitted at the discretion of the head of the department to which you belong.

 【Traveling Abroad】
   Please follow the infection risk information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Japan and the country/region concerned.

 【Conferences and ceremonies】
    Large-scale ceremonies and meetings will be cancelled or postponed.
    Meetings will be held online whenever possible.
    In cases where it is difficult to comply with the above, it will be approved at the discretion of the head of the department to which you belong. 

○Administrative and technical staff
  ・Staggered working hours are encouraged.
  ・Remote work is encouraged whenever possible.
  ・Try to reduce the density of work by using vacant conference rooms as office space.

 ○Affiliated Schools
 ・Staggered attendance will be implemented.
 ・Club activities will be restricted in accordance with the “Manual for Hygiene Management Regarding Novel Coronavirus Infections in Schools” (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) and the “Thorough Countermeasures against Novel Coronavirus Infections in Elementary Schools, Junior High Schools, Senior High Schools, and Special Needs Schools When Singing in Chorus, etc. (Notice)” (December 10, 2020, jointly issued by the Director-General of the Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau and the Deputy Director-General of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology).
  ・Staggered working hours for faculty and staff are encouraged.
  ・Staff members are encouraged to work at home whenever possible.

○Unauthorized Persons
  ・Post offices, courier companies, construction companies, and other persons not deemed necessary are prohibited from entering the university.
  ・Qualification examinations and training sessions are allowed only when the organizer thoroughly implements measures against infectious diseases.
  

We ask our students, faculty, and staff to take the following actions in addition to continuing to take measures to prevent the spread of infection.

Please take the following actions.

(1) Refrain from using restaurants where infection measures are not taken thoroughly or restaurants that do not respond to requests for leave or shortened business hours.
(2) Refrain from going out all day unnecessarily, after 8 p.m. specially.
(3) Refrain from traveling across prefecture borders.※
(4) Refrain from dining in a group. In particular, refrain from activities with a high risk of infection, such as drinking in groups on the streets or in parks.
(5) Avoid crowded places and times with a small number of people even if you need to go out.
(6) Act with a strong awareness of “not getting infected” and “not letting others get infected” all the time.

Further information will be announced if there is any change in the government or Saitama Prefecture.

(※)SU is planning to conduct the implementation of COVID-19 vaccine occupational vaccination (university-based vaccination) on campus and the first dose is scheduled for the week of September 13, however, if you wish to receive the vaccine earlier, please consider having it administered by the local municipality.

This ” Refrain from traveling across prefectural borders ” does not include cases where vaccination against COVID-19 is necessary for early vaccination. If vaccination is available at the local municipality, etc. where you are returning home, please consider getting vaccinated at the destination. If you are worried about infection when you return home, PCR and antigen test kits are available at SU. If you would like to take the test, please contact the following office.

Contact Information
General Affairs Department, General Affairs Division
E-mail: soumu@gr.saitama-u.ac.jp
TEL: 048－858－3005