November 1^st, 2021

To all students in the Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University

NAGAI Takaya
Dean, Graduate School of Science

Thank you for your cooperation to prevent the spread of infection of Covid-19. “Special Measures During Autumn Holiday Season to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19” which had been applied in the whole area of Hokkaido was lifted on 31st October. Accordingly, Hokkaido University lowered its Business Continuity Plan (BCP) from Alert Level 2 (Restriction-Medium) to Alert Level 1 (Restriction-Low).

https://www.global.hokudai.ac.jp/university-life/health-and-wellness/covid-19-health-alerts-and-advisories/

Although the BCP level has lowered, there will be no major changes in the way we operate as the Graduate School of Science for the time being. Students at the Graduate School of Science are kindly requested to continue to practice New Normal life in the Graduate School.

1. Traveling and Outings

• Please continue to keep your travel outside Sapporo to a minimum. Those who need to travel for business, job hunting, home visiting, etc. should act with awareness and take all measures for infection prevention. In addition, be sure to inform your supervisor about your traveling destination and period.

2. Visiting University Campus

• Please refrain from non-essential and non-urgent visits to the campus. You are not allowed to use the Science Buildings except for the purpose of attending classes and research activities.
• Please look after your health, and if you have cold-like symptoms such as a fever, please do not come to campus.
• Buildings #2 and #5 in the School of Science will continue to be locked and the other buildings are open. When you need to enter building #2 or #5, please unlock the doors with your student ID card.
• Please be sure to wear a mask when you enter the buildings and when you conduct activities (including when moving around) on the premises.
• Please keep your stay in the Science Buildings to a minimum.
• When eating out, only for a short period of time, no heavy drinking, shouting, or loud
  voices, and keep masks on while talking.

3. Classes  under the BCP Alert Level 1

• Classes will be conducted mainly online. However, face-to-face classes may be carried out for course subjects that are able to avoid “Three Cs” and can take sufficient infection prevention measures in classrooms. Please follow the instructions from the person in charge in your department/course or class.
• The notices of classes, study and campus life will be posted on the Rigaku Joho System and ELMS, so please check them regularly.
  　Rigaku Joho System　https://www.sci.hokudai.ac.jp/jimu_renraku/
  　(The Rigaku Joho System will transfer to ELMS in December 2021.)
  　ELMS　https://www.hokudai.ac.jp/gakusei/instruction-info/elms/

4. About Research Activities

• For research activities, please carefully consider how to prevent the spread of infection, obtain a permission from your supervisor, and make sure that you keep your stay to a minimum with the minimum number of people required to carry out your research safely.
• For outdoor research activities, obtain a permission from your supervisor, and carefully evaluate the need for visiting infected areas. Also, avoid 3Cs (Closed spaces・Crowded places ・Close contact), and give due consideration to infection prevention measures.

5. Inquiries about Study and Campus Life

• The Academic Affairs Division in the Graduate School of Science is closed at Level 1 as a rule. 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 there is anything urgent, please come to the office.

6．Mental Care Office

• The Faculty of Science has a Mental Care Office. Currently, it only offers email or telephone consultations. However, when a clinical psychologist counselor considers the case as necessary, in-person consultation may be possible with infection prevention measures in place. If you have any concerns and/or anxiety, please feel free to e-mail (nayami(at)sci.hokudai.ac.jp) or call for consultation.
  For more information, please visit: https://www2.sci.hokudai.ac.jp/faculty/counseling.

7．Contact information in case you are diagnosed with COVID-19

• If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are suspected of being infected, or if you have been designated as a close contact, you must call the number below (Do not come to the University).
  Weekdays 8:30-17:00
  Graduate School Educational Affairs Section 011-706-3675
• If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 at night, on the weekend or holiday, call the Disaster Prevention Center of the School of Science immediately. The administration office will call you back to ask about your situation.
  Weekdays from 5:00 p.m. – / Weekends and holidays all day,
  Disaster Prevention Center of the School of Science 011-706-2660