April 2, 2021

To students in the Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University

Takaya Nagai
Dean, Graduate School of Science

Thank you for your cooperation in preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus infection.
Although the new semester has begun, there is no prospect of full containment of the novel coronavirus infection, and the City of Sapporo, from March 27 to April 16, has decided to take strong measures equivalent to “Vigilance Stage 4” for these three weeks in order to suppress the spread of the infection and prevent it from spreading to all over Hokkaido. Based on this, it has been announced that the University will maintain the Business Continuity Plan During Coronavirus Outbreak (BCP) at level 2 (restriction ‒ medium level) until early May.
https://www.global.hokudai.ac.jp/university-life/health-and-wellness/covid-19-health-alerts-and-advisories/
All the students of the Graduate School of Science are requested to continue practicing a “new normal” graduate school life.

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

• Until April 16, Hokkaido and Sapporo city are asking Hokkaido residents to avoid nonessential
  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. 
• Manage your physical condition and do not come to school if you have a cold symptom
  such as fever.
• 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 be sure to wear a mask when you enter the university and when you are doing
  activities (including when moving around) in the premises.
• 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. However, face-to-face lectures may
  be carried out for course subjects that are ensured to be able to avoid “Three Cs” and take
  sufficient infection prevention measures in classrooms. Please follow the instructions from
  the person in charge of your department/ laboratory and class.
• 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

• For research activities, give maximum consideration to the spread of infection, obtain the
  permission of your supervisor, and make sure that you stay for as short a time as possible
  with the minimum number of people required to carry out your research safely.
• For outdoor research activities, obtain the permission of your supervisor and carefully
  consider your destination, such as visiting an infected area. Also, avoid an environment
  where you are in close contact with people, such as when moving, and give due
  consideration to infection prevention measures.

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