November 20, 2020

To students in the Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University

Hiroshi Amitsuka
Dean, Graduate School of Science

Thank you very much for your cooperation to prevent the spread of infection of COVID-19. Hokkaido University has moved from Alert Level 1 (Restriction-Low) to Alert Level 2 (Restriction-Medium) prescribed in the Hokkaido University Business Continuity Plan During Coronavirus Outbreak (BCP).
https://www.global.hokudai.ac.jp/university-life/health-and-wellness/covid-19-health-alerts-and-advisories/

In response to this announcement, the Graduate School of Science has decided to take the following measures for the time being.

1. Restriction of movements

• Hokkaido and Sapporo city are asking Hokkaido residents to avoid non-essential traveling to or from Sapporo city. If you need to travel for a business trip/job hunting, or return to Sapporo from your hometown, please take a variety of measures to prevent the spread of infection and travel carefully. You are requested to tell supervisors about the destination and the period.

2. Visiting the University

• Please avoid unnecessary visiting the campus. 
• The Science Building #2 and #5 in the School of Science will continue to be locked all day, but the entrance to the other buildings will be open during daytime hours. For students who need to enter the Science Building #2 and #5, please unlock with your student ID card.
• Please refrain from having a meal in groups.
• After entering the building, please stay for the shortest time as possible as you can.
• Students are allowed to use the Science Buildings for the purpose of attending classes and research activities only.

3. Courses under Alert Level 2 

• In principle, classes will be conducted online mainly. Some classes (seminars /experiments/practical training) may be conducted face-to-face with infection control measures in place. Please follow the instructions given by your department.
  □ The course information and notice about study and campus life will be posted on the Rigaku Joho System. Please check the Rigaku Joho System regularly.
  https://www.sci.hokudai.ac.jp/jimu_renraku/

4. Research Activities

• In principle, students should work from home. Only a minimum number of lab personnel are allowed to work in a lab for the shortest time possible to support experiments after obtaining supervisor’s permission.
• When conducting researches in the field, please obtain supervisor’s permission, avoid close contact with people when moving, and take all possible measures to prevent infection.

5. Inquiry about study and campus life

• The Academic Affairs Section in the Graduate School of Science has been closed on Level 2. If you have any questions about study or procedures, please contact the Graduate School Educational Affairs Section by email (r-gakuin(at)sci.hokudai.ac.jp)
• However, if you have any urgent matters , please do not hesitate to come to the office.

6．Mental Care Office

• The Faculty of Science has the Mental Care Office. Currently, it only offers email or telephone consultations. A clinical psychologist counselor is there to help with any concerns you may have. If you have any concerns, please feel free to make an appointment for a telephone consultation by email (nayami(at)sci.hokudai.ac.jp). It also accepts a consultation by email only. For more information, please visit
  https://www2.sci.hokudai.ac.jp/faculty/counseling

7．Contact information in case you have been diagnosed with new coronavirus

• If you have been diagnosed with new coronavirus infection or are suspected of being infected, or if you have been designated as a close contact, you must report to the university as follows (Do not come to school.)
  Weekdays 8:30-17:00
  Graduate School Educational Affairs Section 011-706-3675
• If you are diagnosed with the new coronavirus infection at night, on weekends, or holidays, contact the Disaster Prevention Center of the School of Science immediately. The administration office will contact you to ask about the situation.
  Weekdays 5:00 p.m. – /Weekends and holidays All day,
  Disaster Prevention Center of the School of Science 011-706-2660

Now we are facing the third wave of coronavirus and more and more people in Hokkaido University are infected. I emphasize again that there is a high risk of infection by drinking and eating in large groups.
Even if you are not infected, if you are designated as a close contact, you are ordered to stay home and to be suspended attending classes. It will affect to your campus life.
I would like to ask each and every student to take thorough measures to prevent infection.