Dear YNU students, faculties, and administrative members

Yuichi Hasebe
President
Yokohama National University

The Japanese government lifted the state emergency for Tokyo and three surrounding prefectures, including Kanagawa, on March 21, 2021. The governor of Kanagawa Prefecture issued a statement regarding the “Request for Cooperation after Lifting of the State of Emergency (March 19)” to gradually ease antivirus measures in the prefecture.

YNU has not confirmed any infections on campus since the first case was reported in Japan, but 60 of our students and staff members were found to have been infected after dining or gathering with others off campus. While the number of new cases in Kanagawa has dropped significantly compared with the year-end and New Year holidays, health experts are warning of a possible “fourth wave” of infections, citing the slow pace of decline and the coronavirus variants showing signs of spreading further. In short, the spread or the virus remains vulnerable.

Starting in April 2021, YNU plans to conduct in-person classes with anti-infection measures fully in place and to allow student clubs and organizations to resume extracurricular activities under certain conditions. YNU has already asked its students, faculties, administrative members for their full cooperation, but now calls for their continued support as the University endeavors to prevent the spread of infections in the new semester. YNU appreciates everyone thoroughly taking basic anti-infection precautions, such as avoiding the “Three Cs” – closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings, maintaining social distancing, wearing face masks, and washing and sanitizing hands (Novel Coronavirus Response Headquarters, Basic Policies for Novel Coronavirus Disease Control, March 18), in addition to complying with the Kanagawa governor’s requests listed below.

〇 Continue to avoid non-essential outings, especially after 9:00 p.m., in accordance with Article 24, Paragraph 9 of the Act on Special Measures for Pandemic Influenza and New Infectious Diseases Preparedness and Response.
〇 Wear a face mask when eating out, day and night, including lunch and tea time. Eat individually served dishes in silence to prevent droplets from spreading.
〇 Refrain from social gatherings, including graduation, farewell, and welcome parties. Do not conduct festivities for cherry blossom viewing.

YNU has posted on its website the guidelines on preventing the spread of coronavirus infections in in-person classes (March 16*) formulated under its lesson policies for the 2021 academic year. Please check the details of anti-infection measures and other information for classes.
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