[for OU STUDENTS and PARENTS] Latest information about the novel coronavirus from Osaka University
In this era of coexistence with COVID-19, Osaka University aims to return to normal operations in accordance with the policies of the national government and Osaka Prefecture and the current status of the spread of infection based on appropriate COVID-19 prevention measures.
In carrying out its activities, the university will provide proper arrangements for individuals with specific needs*.
*Pregnant women, those who are at high risk of becoming seriously ill, such as the elderly, those with an underlying condition (diabetes, heart failure, respiratory disease (COPD etc.)), those receiving dialysis, immunosuppressants, or anticancer drugs, or those who feel an overwhelming anxiety about COVID-19.
Osaka University COVID-19 Response Levels (April 1 ~ May 7, 2023) (Response levels remain at level 1)
OU's COVID-19 Response Levels (April 1 ~ May 7, 2023)
Level 0 (normal activity) ~ Level 5 (complete stoppage of activity)
Lectures/classes | Level 1 • Lectures will primarily be held in the classroom with precautions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (such as strict compliance with room capacity* and requiring those in attendance to wash/sanitize hands and keep the room well-ventilated). • Online lectures will also be held in combination with lectures in the classroom. |
Research | Level 1 Research and Experiments • Research and laboratory work may be implemented as normal (research activities may also be carried out at home). Seminars, etc. • During face-to-face seminars, etc., all participating members are to comply with room capacity*, wash and sanitize hands, and keep rooms properly ventilated. Fieldwork • Keep in mind voluntary restrictions requested by the government when traveling. |
Extracurricular activities | Level 1 General activities • Adherence to infection prevention measures and practice social distancing when gathering Events, matches, overnight trips, etc. • Adherence to infection prevention measures and practice social distancing when gathering Eating and drinking together • Eat and drink at restaurants that have acquired Thorough Infection Prevention Gold Stickers |
*Occupants should practice spaced seating, and keep room occupancy at 2/3 capacity or below. When sitting at a three-seater desk, please leave the middle seat unoccupied and sit at both ends.
In addition, if you wish to increase occupancy to over 2/3 capacity, you must adhere to the required ventilation rates recommended by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and take the ventilation efficiency of the room into account when calculating occupancy.
1. Handling of classes
Policy regarding classes during the spring and summer terms of the 2023-24 academic year (from April 2023) [posted March 29, 2023]
Osaka University will hold in-person classes in the coming spring and summer terms of the 2023-24 academic year in combination with protective measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We will do our best to provide students with opportunities to communicate both among themselves and with faculty members in order to inspire students to cultivate their humanity through face-to-face interaction.
Students are asked to prepare for in-person classes.
Since classroom capacity will be reduced to 2/3 that of normal capacity in principle*, it may also be necessary for the university to provide online classes as well.
*However, when in-person classes are held at 2/3 or more capacity, ventilation will be performed according to the recommendations by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
In addition, the university is promoting "blended learning," the effective combination of face-to-face instruction and online education specifically tailored to lecture content, year in school, and instruction methods.
Thus, lecture formats will vary by subject and class: in-person, online, or a combination of the two. Check these details beforehand with your school, graduate school, or department, refer to your syllabus, and/or check the notices posted to KOAN.
Depending on the state of the pandemic, the university may suspend in-person classes and transition to online classes, so secure an online learning environment (i.e. personal computer and internet) to ensure you can attend online lectures.
Special arrangements for students who feel anxious about attending in-person classes
During the spring and summer terms of the 2023-24 academic year, Osaka University will provide special arrangements to prevent detrimental impacts on schooling attainment and learning of students who do not wish to attend in-person classes for valid reasons*.
Students who wish to apply for these arrangements should contact the educational affairs division of their school.
*Eligible students include: Students who are at high risk of severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, such as pregnant women, the elderly, those with an underlying condition (diabetes, heart failure, respiratory disease (COPD etc.)), those receiving dialysis, immunosuppressants, or anticancer drugs, or those who feel an overwhelming anxiety about commuting to the university to take in-person classes. This also includes students who have reasons for having difficulties attending in-person classes.
Precautions for online learning
1. 12 keys to success in blended learning
Blended learning is defined as curricula combining face-to-face instruction and online education. Especially since 2020, online classes through the use of the Internet have been actively conducted as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
You can get information about how to implement blended learning from the website “12 keys to success in blended learning.” (link in Japanese)
2. Online learning etiquette for students
We ask you to follow online etiquette so that all students can learn in a pleasant, comfortable, and efficient environment.
3. Tips for taking online classes
The Center for Education in Liberal Arts and Sciences (CELAS) provides tips for students on creating and submitting assignments for online classes.
For details, click here. (link in Japanese)
Regarding the use of internet access points
Students who have online lectures immediately before or after in-person lectures at the university or have trouble with their home Internet connection may make use of Internet access points on Osaka University campuses.
Internet access is also available at The Center for Education in Liberal Arts and Sciences (CELAS) as well as some rooms designated by undergraduate/graduate schools. Students are free to use computers in some rooms at the Cybermedia Center. For details, see the KOAN bulletin board.
Regarding mobile Wi-Fi router rentals
As classes are held both in the classroom and online, Osaka University provides rental mobile Wi-Fi routers free of charge to Osaka University undergraduate and graduate who have difficulties accessing the internet due to financial circumstances. For details, view the page entitled "モバイルWi-Fiルーターの貸与について(Regarding mobile Wi-Fi router rentals)" of KOAN.
Contact
Education and Planning Division, Department of Education and Student Affairs
Tel: 06-6879-7082, 06-6879-7104
2023-24 Class Schedule
To reduce congestion in cafeterias during lunch periods, the university will hold classes according to the following schedule.
(If your school/graduate school has its own class schedule, please follow that instead.)
This schedule also will apply to online classes held in real time.
Class Schedule | |
|---|---|
1st period | 8:50-10:20 |
2nd period | 10:30-12:00 |
Lunch break | 12:00-13:30 |
3rd period | 13:30-15:00 |
4th period | 15:10-16:40 |
5th period | 16:50-18:20 |
6th period | 18:30-20:00 |
Please confirm with the Student Affairs Division of your school/graduate school regarding handling of classes and final exams.
[Reference]
2. Extracurricular activities (October 1, 2022~)
*In consideration of requests made by Osaka Prefecture on September 14 as well as the state of the pandemic both within Osaka Prefecture and at the university, Osaka University has decided to maintain its response levels for extracurricular activity at level 1.
1. Period: October 1, 2022 ~
These response levels are subject to change depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and social conditions. The university will announce any such change.
2. Activity guidelines: (these guidelines apply to both official and unofficial groups at the university)
(1) Regular activity (remains at level 1)
Regular activities are allowed with infection prevention measures in place, however participants must avoid close contact in closed crowded places with poor ventilation.
Reference: Guidelines for COVID-19 Infection Prevention Measures for Extracurricular Activities (link in Japanese)
(2) Events, matches, training camps, etc. (remains at level 1)
Events, matches, training camps are allowed with infection prevention measures in place, however participants must avoid close contact in closed crowded places with poor ventilation.
Keep in mind restrictions requested by the government.
(3) Gatherings that involve eating/drinking (remains at level 1)
Gathering that involve eating/drinking are allowed at restaurants that have acquired Thorough Infection Prevention Gold Stickers and participants must wear masks most of the time at the table.
Keep the following in mind:
- Sanitize your hands before entering a restaurant.
- When eating or drinking, remove your mask by only touching the strap. Don't put your hand on the outside of the mask. If you touch the fabric at the front of the mask, sanitize your hands.
- Take your mask off while eating or drinking but wear it when speaking.
If you have any questions about OU’s response levels and which activities will be allowed or not allowed, please contact the Student Center.
- Suita Student Center - TEL: 06-6879-7120 | gakusei-sien-sa1[at]office.osaka-u.ac.jp
- Toyonaka Student Center - TEL: 06-6850-5022 | gakusei-sien-sa2[at]office.osaka-u.ac.jp
- Minoh Student Center - TEL: 072-730-5081 | gakusei-sien-sa1[at]office.osaka-u.ac.jp
*Please replace [at] with @ when contacting these addresses.
• For more information regarding procedures for acquiring permission to perform extracurricular activity and considerations when engaging in activity, please refer to the notice entitled "新型コロナウイルスに係る課外活動・サークル活動の扱いについて（5月23日～）" [Regarding the handling of club activity during the COVID-19 pandemic (May 23 ~)] on the KOAN bulletin board. In addition, do not force participation from students (especially younger students) who have personal health issues or family members with health issues, or students who may have anxiety regarding extracurricular activities.
• Don't forget to continue to manage your own personal health in addition to taking action and following rules in place (such as wearing a mask, etc.) to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine should also continue to take measures to prevent the spread of illness). If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, contact your primary care physician or a COVID-19 consultation center by phone and follow their instructions. We also ask that you watch your health closely and refrain from coming to campus for at least 24 hours even after your symptoms have subsided.
• In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, please fill out the self-reporting form and send it via the portal site of the Department of Safety and Hygiene as soon as possible if you have contracted COVID-19 or have had close contact with someone infected with the virus. For the classes that you missed due to absences related to COVID-19, please consult with the student affair section of your school.
[Reference] Contact list for schools/graduate schools (intended for students; internal use only)
3. Job hunting
When participating in in-person job hunting and internships, make sure to take measures to prevent the spread of illness, such as wearing a face mask, washing your hands, and practicing proper coughing etiquette.
*If you have any concerns regarding job hunting, please contact a career center or the career assistance staff at your department.
Career Centers
• Suita Student Center - TEL: 06-6879-7120
• Toyonaka Student Center - TEL: 06-6850-5022
Email: gakusei-sien-career[at]office.osaka-u.ac.jp
(Please replace [at] with @ when contacting this address.)
4. Financial support (tuition fee exemption, scholarship, etc.)
Because students are not currently allowed to come to the university due to the state-of-emergency declaration, any receipt and submission of files for tuition fee exemption and financial aid will, as a rule, only be carried out via postal mail.
The university will continue to respond to any inquiries regarding application procedures by email or telephone during this period.
For more information, please visit the links below.
All documents will now be accepted via postal mail.
The university is accepting applications for tuition fee exemption for those who have difficulties paying tuition fees due to COVID-19. For more information, please visit the Exemption Programs page.
For information regarding hours of operation of Student Centers, click here.
• Suita Student Center (Tuition Fee Exemption)
TEL: 06-6879-7088,7089
5. Health Management
• Be sure to take everyday measures to prevent the spread of infection (washing hands with soap and water, disinfecting hands with hand sanitizer, practicing proper cough etiquette i.e. wearing a mask)
• Avoid close contact in closed crowded places with poor ventilation
• Enter buildings after washing or sanitizing your hands.
• When eating out, be considerate of those around you by refraining from speaking in a loud voice (eat alone, refrain from having conversations, etc.)
5.1 If you get cold-like symptoms such as a fever and cough,
(a) Check your temperature every morning. If you have a fever and cough and/or if you need to continuously take antipyretic, you will not be allowed to come to the university.
(b) Seek consultation from your primary care physician or a medical/testing facility. If you need consultation at night or on holidays when your primary care physician is unavailable, contact a COVID-19 Counseling Center found at a health center and follow any instructions you're given.
(c) If you contact your primary care physician or a counseling center and receive a PCR test or antigen test, please give your department/school a summary of your situation and instructions from the center by email.
(d) If you are advised to seek medical attention by the counseling center, you must visit the medical institution that you are introduced to while wearing a mask and observing hand hygiene and cough etiquette.
(e) If it is confirmed that you have been infected with COVID-19, fill out a COVID-19 Infection Report via the webpage for the Department of Safety and Hygiene.
https://www.dash.osaka-u.ac.jp/
If you have any questions, please contact the Education Affairs section of your school/graduate school. Contact lists by school/graduate school (You must login to MyHandai to view this page.) https://my.osaka-u.ac.jp/kansen_shitara/list
(f) If you are confirmed to be infected with COVID-19, follow the instructions of a health center (i.e. get admitted to a hospital or care facility or undergo treatment at home), and suspend your attendance at school (students) or take compulsory leave (faculty and staff) This will be treated as suspension from work/school.
(g) If you have been informed from a health center that you are a “high-risk contact” with someone who was confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 and instructed to seek medical attention at a medical institute or monitor your symptoms at home, fill out a COVID-19 High Risk Contact Report on the webpage for the Department of Safety and Hygiene.
https://www.dash.osaka-u.ac.jp/
If you have any questions, please contact the Education Affairs section of your school/graduate school. Contact lists by school/graduate school (You must login to MyHandai to view this page.) https://my.osaka-u.ac.jp/kansen_shitara/list
(h) If you have been identified by a health center as a "high-risk contact," you must suspend your attendance at school (students) or remain at home (*1) (faculty and staff)
(i) High-risk contacts identified via Osaka University's own cluster surveillance should suspend attendance at school or work regardless of whether or not they have been identified as a high-risk contact by a health center. (*1 may apply)
*1 As a rule, this will be considered compulsory leave, but if there are no problems with your health, you may carry out your work from home.
Symptoms are more likely to become severe in individuals noted below, so if cold-like symptoms, such as fever and cough, are observed in the following individuals, contact the counseling center immediately and follow their instructions.
(i) The elderly
(ii) Those who have underlying disorders, such as diabetes, cardiac failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other respiratory diseases
(iii) Patients on dialysis
(iv) Patients treated with immunosuppressants or anticancer drugs
(v) Pregnant women
5.2 Home healthcare
If you have the following symptoms, immediately seek medical attention. If you are unable to receive medical attention (such as at night or on a holiday), contact a COVID-19 Counseling Center.
(a) If you suffer from a breathing problem (e.g. If you continuously have more than 20 breaths per minute or your lips turn blue.)
(b) If you are groggy (e.g. If you are unconsciousness and cannot respond to voice.)
(c) If you have low blood pressure or a shock symptom (e.g. If your face turns pale or your fingertips become cold.)
(d) If you cannot take meals and fluids
5.3 Returning to work/school
If your symptoms have improved, you can attend school/work according to Osaka University’s COVID-19 response levels, after the following has happened:
- No symptoms have re-emerged during a 24-hour period after your cold-like symptoms (such as fever or cough) improved (or you have been tested negative for COVID-19 via a PCR test), or
- You have followed medical advice on when you should return to school/work.
6. Regarding physical and mental care
The Health and Counseling Center is currently offering counseling services to individuals with any concerns regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
7. Travel overseas
7.1 Regarding travel to countries/regions with alert level set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Infection Alert Level
Level 3: Cease all travel (Travel Suspension Recommendation)
⇒ Cancel travel/return home
Level 2: Cease nonessential and non-urgent travel
⇒ As a general rule, postpone or cancel travel
(a) Postpone or cancel travel to countries/regions identified as being Infection Alert Level 2 or 3 as noted above.
(b) If you need to travel for an unavoidable circumstance, follow the instructions noted in 7.2 below.
- Travel to countries/region at Infection Alert Level 2 or 3 that is deemed absolutely necessary for your course of study and fulfills certain conditions will be recognized at the discretion of the head of your department and will require special procedures.
*For details, peruse the notice from June 29, 2021 entitled "Regarding overseas dispatch of students (学生の海外派遣について)" or check KOAN.
7.2 Travel preparations
(a) Make sure to check the latest information from the websites of the MOFA, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Japanese Embassy in your destination country before traveling to confirm the safety of your destination and whether or not you can receive proper medical care in the event you get infected with COVID-19, stay away from contagion areas, wash your hands with soap and running water, and use alcohol sanitizer. Do what you can to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
(b) Register with the MOFA’s Overseas Travel Registration (Tabireji or ORR Net (Overseas Residential Registration)). Students must also register their trip on the Osaka University's Overseas Travel Registration System.
(c) Whether business or personal, inform your family/friends/work of your contact information while abroad and the address at your travel destination.
(d) Buy international medical insurance and travel insurance that cover treatment of infectious diseases.
(e) After returning to Japan, take note of any changes in your health and follow the directions in 8. For those who have returned from overseas below.
Currently, many countries are performing PCR tests, checking COVID-19 testing certificates, checking vaccination certificates, and checking the body temperature of passengers arriving from overseas. Please note that if you are suspected to have a fever and the flu-like symptoms, you may be quarantined for a while to confirm whether or not you are infected with COVID-19.
(f) Pay close attention to information from MOFA regarding safety overseas.
8. For those who have returned from overseas
For Osaka University faculty, staff, and students returning from overseas
When returning from overseas, depending on the risk level of the country you are arriving from, a quarantine officer will provide you with instructions on where to quarantine (i.e., at a designated lodging facility or at your own home), so quarantine yourself for the period designated by MHLW and keep an eye on your health. (Your attendance at school will be suspended for this period.)
*For the latest information on border measures, check the website for MHLW.
*For a list of countries/regions that require quarantine at a designated lodging facility, visit the Overseas Safety page of the MOFA website.
After returning to Japan, do not make contact with anyone and report your location and health status to MHLW as instructed. If your health declines, contact your quarantine station, the health care center for your area, or your local COVID-19 Consultation Center (available 24 hours/day).
*For more information, check MHLW's Health Monitoring Center for Overseas Entrants (HCO) webpage.
9. Preventative measures by Osaka University COOP
- Osaka University COOP website (link in Japanese)
- Others stores at Osaka University
10. Important ways to slow the spread
*In line with the request from Osaka Prefecture on February 24, 2023, Osaka University asks its members to take precautions to reduce the risk of infection.
If there are differences in content between the request and the Osaka University’s Activity Levels, for example, requests for extracurricular activities, please follow the University’s Activity Levels.
Period
March 13 ~ May 7, 2023
(1) Requests to citizens
・Avoid crowded places, close contact settings, and closed spaces, wash your hands, and frequently ventilate rooms
・ Consider receiving the COVID-19 vaccine (including vaccines for children) as soon as possible (request not required by law)
・In order to protect the lives and health of the elderly*1, those who have close contact with them on a daily basis are asked to refrain from going to places with a high risk of infection.
*1 Including people with high-risk of developing severe illness such as those who have underlying diseases
・Take infection prevention measures and avoid activity with a high risk of infections when traveling across prefectures and avoid high-risk behavior while at your destination.
・Be sure to take measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 when visiting senior citizens at elderly facilities (in addition, consider non-contact measures such as an online meetings)
・If a family member living with an elderly person*1 is infected with the virus and if infection prevention measures cannot be taken, the person is encouraged to stay at a recovery accommodation facility in order to protect the elderly person’s life.
・Eat and drink at restaurants that have acquired Thorough Infection Prevention Gold Stickers.
(2) Requests to universities
・Thoroughly inform and ensure that all students who have any symptoms (such as a fever) refrain from coming to school and participating in extracurricular activities.
・Ensure that all students take infection prevention measures when involved in the following high risk activity:
- Trips and drinking parties and your house or a friend's.
- High-risk activity in extracurricular activities (training camps, etc.) and/or meals before and/or following the activity
Reference
Requests to Osaka Residents
Related webpages
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare