2020.07.30

NUT’s Action Guidelines for COVID-19 Prevention (Updated: July 29, 2020)

(June 19 to August 31)

[1] NUT’s Fundamental Policies

1. NUT places the health and safety of its students and staff as its top priority, and is working to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
2. Education will be conducted using remote classes online.
3. Research shall be performed with the highest consideration to the students’ and staff’s health, as well as the prevention of infection to all persons involved.

[2] Specific Action Guidelines
All research/education and university administration activities will be conducted at the discretion of the Emergency Management Headquarters.
The following action guidelines are based on the “New Lifestyle” as described by the government.

Students

1. Although there are no restrictions against coming to campus, students are requested to continue to look after their health and prevent the spread of infections to others.
2. In principle, students will attend all classes in Term 1 from their residences through online videoconferencing without face-to-face interactions. However, laboratory subjects with face-to-face interactions may be conducted from July 13, 2020 with strict infection prevention measures in place. Students will be contacted by the lecturers at a later date regarding the timetable for these laboratory subjects. For Term 2, classes with face-to-face interactions (lectures, seminars, and laboratory subjects) will be conducted in classrooms with social distancing from September 2, 2020.
3. Discussions for research guidance should also, as far as possible, be conducted online.
4. Although research activities at the laboratories are allowed, students should avoid the “Three Cs”, and follow infection prevention measures, such as reducing their visits to the university as much as possible.
5. Overseas travel is not allowed. There are no restrictions to travel to other prefectures within Japan, but students should move with careful consideration to the prevention of infections. (Students should voluntarily refrain, as far as possible, from making any unnecessary or non-urgent trips to areas with high infection rates. Within those areas, students should follow the additional safety precautions provided below.)
6. For job search activities that require travel within Japan, students should refer to the guideline in Item 5 above.
7. With regard to going out, students should avoid the “Three Cs” and refrain from dangerous activities that may spread infections.
8. Students should be especially careful to avoid the “Three Cs” and prevent the spread of infections in club activities. With consideration to the guidelines specified by the relevant organization for each sport/game, each club should first submit an activity plan (that includes infection prevention measures) to the Division of Student Affairs and receive authorization before beginning their activities. In addition, each club should first submit an activity plan (that includes infection prevention measures) to the Division of Student Affairs and receive authorization before conducting any training camps.
9. Students who are scheduled to move into the dormitories but are currently waiting at home may move into the dormitories from June 19, 2020 onward. Students will be contacted by the university, and should move in based on the designated procedures. Similarly, students who are scheduled to move into a rented apartment or house but are currently waiting at home will also be able to travel to Nagaoka from June 19, 2020 onward. Students traveling from areas with high infection rates should pay careful attention to their health for approximately 2 weeks after moving.
10. If students need part-time jobs, they should choose jobs that have adequate infection prevention measures. Students are strongly requested to avoid dangerous part-time jobs with a high risk of infections within the “Three Cs”.

Academic Staff

1. Although there are no restrictions to working on campus, academic staff should work flexibly from home where possible if it does not hinder their research or work duties.
2. Classes in Term 1 will be, in principle, conducted through online videoconferencing without face-to-face interactions. However, laboratory subjects with face-to-face interactions may be conducted from July 13, 2020 with strict infection prevention measures in place. Discussions for research guidance should also, as far as possible, be conducted online.
3. Overseas travel is not allowed. There are no restrictions to travel to other prefectures within Japan, but staff should move with careful consideration to the prevention of infections. (Staff should voluntarily refrain, as far as possible, from making any unnecessary or non-urgent trips to areas with high infection rates. Within those areas, staff should follow the additional safety precautions provided below.)
4. Meetings should be, in principle, conducted through email or online videoconferencing.
5. The Head of the Emergency Management Headquarters does not restrict meetings with external visitors (those with appointments). However, the names and contact information of all visitors should be recorded and emailed to the administrative office of the Emergency Management Headquarters.
6. When accompanying students to training camps or study/research retreats, an activity plan (that includes infection prevention measures) should first be prepared and submitted to the Emergency Management Headquarters.

Administrative Staff

1. Administrative staff should take measures to avoid the “Three Cs” when working, and continue to adopt a flexible work style with teleworking to reduce the number of staff on campus.
2. Overseas travel is not allowed. There are no restrictions to travel to other prefectures within Japan, but staff should move with careful consideration to the prevention of infections. (Staff should voluntarily refrain, as far as possible, from making any unnecessary or non-urgent trips to areas with high infection rates. Within those areas, staff should follow the additional safety precautions provided below.)
3. Meetings should be, in principle, conducted through email or online videoconferencing.

Use of Facilities

1. The library may be used, but its operating hours have been shortened. However, only persons connected to NUT may use the library.
2. Sports facilities can only be used by student clubs that have submitted an activity plan (that includes infection prevention measures such as avoidance of the “Three Cs”) and received authorization. Other students may only use the outdoor sports facilities with restrictions. Only persons connected to NUT may use these facilities.
3. The welfare facilities (e.g., cafeterias and the all-purpose store) will be in operation with the implementation of infection prevention measures. However, only persons connected to NUT may use these facilities.

*The “Three Cs” refer to Closed spaces, Crowded places, and Close-contact settings.

These action guidelines will be revised if there is a further increase in COVID-19 cases.

※ Persons connected to NUT refer to NUT students, staff, individuals working on campus, individuals with scheduled appointments with NUT staff, and NUT-specified contractors.

Additional Safety Precautions
If visiting areas with high infection rates (such as Tokyo, Saitama, Kanagawa, Chiba, Aichi, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Fukuoka prefectures), please follow the precautions described below:

1. Do not visit any crowded places or events.
2. Do not visit any areas with a high risk of droplet infections, such as live concerts, theatrical performances, drinking parties, and karaoke establishments.
3. When traveling on crowded public transport or going to public facilities (e.g., supermarkets, convenience stores, and banks), make sure that you wash or disinfect your hands before eating or drinking. You should behave as though the viruses are attached to your clothes, hands, and face.
4. Do not go for meals with multiple people. Meals should be taken alone and quickly in non-crowded restaurants, or should be eaten as take-out within your hotel room or other private area.
5. If staying at a hotel, please remove and hang up all of your clothing when entering the hotel room (as there is a high risk of virus attachment), and take a shower. If this is not possible, please make sure that you wash your hands and face thoroughly.