Dear YNU Students, Faculties, and Administrative Staffs

September 3, 2021
UMEHARA Izuru
President, Yokohama National University

　Thank you for your cooperation in preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The current outbreak is said to be caused by the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, which is twice as transmissible as and has 1,200 times more copies of the virus than earlier strains. The situation is perilous not only in the Tokyo metropolitan area including Kanagawa Prefecture but also nationwide. Your efforts notwithstanding, we at YNU have also seen a sharp rise in new cases since August.
In view of these circumstances, we have decided to continue the status of Phase 2 on the “YNU Action Plans to Prevent the Spread of the Novel Coronavirus” (hear after “YNU Action Plans”) beyond the scheduled end date of September 12. The extended period is set to run until October 31, well over the two weeks that it takes for the body to develop antibodies after October 13, the last day of on-campus vaccinations at YNU.

Courses in the fall semester starting on October 5 will be implemented according to Phase 2 on the “YNU Action Plans” until October 31: Classes will be held online in principle. Classes necessary for graduation or completion will be held in person while taking maximum measures to prevent infection. As for extracurricular activities, voluntary suspension is strongly requested, but when in-person activities are necessary for taking part in official competitions organized by sports federations, contests, and the like, only those activities for which a plan has been submitted and approved may be conducted, in accordance with the “YNU Action Plans”.
Further information will be notified as it becomes available. Please check the website of your college or graduate school.

Courses in the spring semester of AY 2021 were held primarily in person thanks to the cooperation of students, faculties, and administrative staffs in preventing the spread of COVID-19 infections. From around the start of summer vacation, however, the situation of the pandemic deteriorated day by day throughout Japan. Meanwhile, vaccinations are under way on-campus at YNU and at venues organized by the local government. The decisions above were made with your safety and security in mind above all else.

As mentioned before, the Delta variant is far more contagious than earlier COVID-19 virus strains. The basic measures to prevent infection are the same, only they need to be put into practice even more thoroughly than before. Even more thorough measures include avoiding situations that risk droplet infection, whether or not they involve drinking and regardless of indoor or outdoor location, and properly wearing a nonwoven face mask and not one made of cloth or polyurethane. Protect yourself to protect others—please keep this rule of thumb in mind, and strive to save the lives of your family and friends as well as your own.

In the event any changes are made to this policy due to the situation of the pandemic, an announcement will be made on the YNU website.