News

Responses of the University to the countermeasures taken by the Okinawa Prefectural Government regarding the state of emergency based on the Special Measures Law

May 23, 2021

To Students, Faculty and Staff Members:

Risk Management Headquarters
(for COVID-19 Infection Control)
University of the Ryukyus

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all of you for your understanding and cooperation to prevent of the spread of COVID-19.

Since the Japanese Government added Okinawa Prefecture to the areas under COVID-19 State of Emergency, the Okinawa Prefectural Government issued the countermeasures regarding the state of emergency based on the Special Measures Law.

Therefore, from May 23 (Sun.) to June 20 (Sun.), 2021 (including the extended period if it happens), we would like to ask students, faculty and staff members to pay careful attention to the countermeasures and engage in study, education and research activities, work, etc..  In addition, since highly infectious mutated strains have spread to young people and some of them have very severe symptoms, students need to alert for the prevention measures against infection.

Based on the countermeasures, we, the University, will take the following measures during the above period and would like to ask university members for cooperation.

We may raise the level of restrictions on activities depending on the spread of COVID-19.  Please consider its possibility and make preparation for it.

〇 Lectures
If lectures are provided online (remotely), please continue providing lectures online.  If face-to-face lectures are provided with permission from the head of Faculty/Center, please check the conditions of classrooms again.  In case there is any concern about providing a face-to-face lecture, please switch to online lectures at discretion of the Head of the Faculty/Center and make sure that all students who are taking the course are informed.

For students, please follow the instructions from the faculty member/lecturer in charge if you receive a notice regarding the measure for implementing a lecture.

〇 Extra-curricular activities
We are now discussing about extra-curricular activities based on the request from the Okinawa Prefectural Government.  If we make any change regarding activities, the office in charge will make an announcement.  Depending on the situation of infection, we may have to suspend all extra-curricular activities.

〇 Other student activities
・Because cases of COVID-19 infection at university dormitories have been reported nationwide, alerts have been given to students.  We ask students again to follow the requests and instructions by the office in charge and cooperate to prevent from getting infected.

・Please refrain from going to a restaurant which does not implement proper measures against infection or comply with the request for closure or shortening of opening hours, having barbecues, eating and drinking at a friend’s house, and so on.

〇 Working system for staff members
Please utilize satellite work on campus and telecommuting based on the notice “Working system of offices related to measures against COVID-19 infection” dated on May 21, 2021, in order to reduce contact among people at workplace.

Please be noted that we will give another notice to update the situation in case other measures must be implemented.

■ Countermeasures taken by the Okinawa Prefectural Government regarding the state of emergency based on the Special Measures Law
(May 21, 2021: Okinawa Prefectural Government)
https://www.pref.okinawa.lg.jp/site/chijiko/koho/corona/210521.html

■ Basic policy for countermeasures for COVID-19
(May 21, 2021: New Coronavirus Infectious Disease Control Headquarters)
https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/singi/novel_coronavirus/th_siryou/kihon_r_030521.pdf