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Doshisha University Action in Response to Novel Coronavirus Infection (No.24 Notice)
Doshisha University Guidelines for Preventing Spread of Infection of Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) (Updated October 21, 2022)

This guidelines has been abolished as of April 1, 2023.
Please see the Doshisha University COVID-19 Infection Prevention Measures for our response to COVID-19 after April 1st.


October 21, 2022
The guidelines have been updated to the 8th edition.
October 21, 2022
To Students
UEKI Tomoko, President
(Director,Emergency Task Force)

Doshisha University Guidelines for
Preventing Spread of Infection of Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) [8th Edition]


Doshisha University has established the above-titled guidelines and is currently providing education through a new format of class management as well as giving utmost consideration to the prevention of spread of infection by implementing the following measures. The 8th Edition takes effect on October 21, 2022 and is expected to be modified in accordance with any future changes in the situation of spread of infection and the policies of the Japanese and Kyoto prefectural governments.

1. Basic Matters

1) We aim to gradually shift our university management back to the one before the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing our basic infection prevention measures avoiding the so-called Three Cs.
2) Requirement for wearing a mask on campus is as follows (applies to outside visitors as well).
Can keep a physical distance
(at least 2m)
Cannot keep a physical
distance
IndoorOutdoorIndoorOutdoor
TalkingMask required
※1
Mask not requiredMask requiredMask required
Little or no talkingMask not requiredMask not requiredMask required
※2
Mask not required
※1 In a class where the instructor can keep a physical distance of at least 2 meters from the students, the instructor may give a lecture without a mask.
※2 Mask is not required in Imadegawa Library and Learned Memorial Library (excluding the group study rooms) regardless of physical distance from others.

3) Refrain from talking when you are commuting outside without a mask for prevention of heat stroke. Make sure to wear a mask whenever you talk with someone, regardless of physical distance from them.
4) Students, faculty and staff of Doshisha University must follow the flowchart of whether or not they are allowed to come to the campus, which is put up on the university’s website. If you fall under one of the categories who are not allowed to come to the campus, you must stay home.
5) Outside visitors are prohibited from entering the campus if they are unwell or have symptoms such as fever and cough. They are also requested to refrain from unnecessary and non-urgent entry into the campus when a state of emergency is declared or Stronger COVID-19 Preventive Measures are applied in Kyoto Prefecture.
6) Whenever you enter the campus, please endeavor to keep a record of your own activity history (when and where you stopped by, who you met and where).
7) Facilities and areas that require temperature check upon entry or keep a record of entry and exit (by paper or online record using Microsoft Forms etc.), and facilities where a prior permission from the dean of the faculty/graduate school is required in order to enter or use a laboratory, a study room etc., will be designated as appropriate by the department in charge of the facility concerned.
8) In accordance with the “Guide to Preventing Spread of Infection of Novel Coronavirus” on the university’s website, all members of the university community are requested to practice the “new normal” while keeping in mind the “Five situations where the risk of infection is increased,” and to take thorough care of their own health. All should practice measures to prevent infection such as keeping a physical distance from others, refraining from talking during a meal, and carrying their own wipes.
9) For students, faculty and staff who are at a high risk for severe illness from infection, such as those with underlying medical conditions or chronic diseases, flexible arrangements will be made through prescribed procedures so that they can take class or work without commuting to campus.
10) Acceptance of international students and permission for study abroad shall be carried out based on the latest information issued by the Japanese government, including the “Overseas Travel Safety Information” webpage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dispatching of students to overseas shall be done according to the guidelines “Risk management for students traveling abroad.”
11) Acceptance of foreign researchers and permission for overseas business trips shall be carried out based on the latest information issued by the Japanese government, including the “Overseas Travel Safety Information” webpage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Travel to areas where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Travel Advice and Warning on Infectious Diseases Level 3 or above is issued is prohibited.
12) Regardless of the above 10) and 11), in some cases such as where study abroad is part of a degree program of a certain faculty, the President may approve travel of the student concerned after the faculty has followed due procedures and considered the feasibility of travel.
13) To those returning to or entering Japan, we will respond appropriately in accordance with the government’s border control measures.
14) You should sanitize your hands when entering a university facility using the hand sanitizer equipped at every entrance of the facilities. At facilities where it is impossible to limit the entrance due to its structure, hand sanitizers are equipped at multiple points with attention to the flow of users. It is also recommended to sanitize hands before and after class.
15) Door knobs and furniture at each facility will be wiped clean at least once a day by facility maintenance staff or a staff member of the laboratory etc.
16) Users of each room should keep the door open in principle. If opening the door will interfere with the purpose of use of the room, open the door at regular intervals for ventilation so that the room does not become a closed space.
17) Users of each room should keep the windows open at all times or open them at regular intervals for ventilation. If it is difficult to keep the windows open due to the weather or the purpose of use of the room, try to keep the room appropriately ventilated by opening the windows as much as possible or using the ventilation system, so that the room does not become a closed space.
18) Use of elevators shall be limited to those with handicaps, those who are pregnant and platform trolleys only.
19) The administrative department of each facility (including exclusive facilities of faculties and graduate schools) shall establish operating standards for prevention of spread of infection concerning the use of the facility in accordance with these guidelines, and users of the facility shall follow each of them.

2. Class Management

1) Courses in AY2022 are offered in two formats of face-to-face and online lectures (through on-demand format in principle).
2) In classroom, students should be seated with one seat empty between them in principle.
3) When conducting a class that involves a certain amount of time of discussion or close contact(such as a foreign language subject, seminar, experiment or practical training), measures equivalent to maintaining sufficient distance from each other must be taken to prevent droplet infection.
4) Computer classrooms will be equipped with partitions for preventing droplet infection.
5) Each classroom is equipped with a CO2 density calculator for users to ventilate the room at an appropriate timing.
6) Non-contact thermometers will be provided at the counter of the Center of Academic Affairs, faculty common rooms and other offices, so that anyone can check their temperature as necessary.
7) Off-campus activities such as practical training and fieldwork must be conducted according to the infection prevention manual or equivalent instructions designated by the facility or institution where such off-campus activity takes place. The scale and content of such activity may be changed as necessary. For a group activity, measures for preventing spread of infection should be taken such as keeping the group size small, and avoiding peak times as much as possible when using public transportation.
8) Curricular activities by a group that involves overnight stay, such as class trips, can be conducted if neither of the Stronger COVID-19 Preventive Measures or a state of emergency is declared in both Kyoto Prefecture and the area where such overnight stay takes place. These activities shall be conducted under the supervision of the faculty or staff member in charge, and the scale and number of such activities shall be kept to a minimum. Participants shall follow the infection prevention manual or equivalent instructions designated by the facility, as well as take sufficient infection prevention measures such as having a meal in silence or individually and sleeping in separate rooms.
9) If the spread of infection of the Novel Coronavirus makes it difficult to continue holding face-to-face classes, the Emergency Task Force will decide whether to switch to conducting all courses online.

3. Use of Facilities and Equipment (facilities for learning, experiments, sports and other purposes)

1) Each facility may restrict admission at peak times as necessary.
2) A certain distance shall be maintained between the seats in the library, Learning Commons, lounges and other facilities by reducing the number of chairs and through other means as necessary.
3) Each facility shall take measures to maintain distance between people waiting in line, such as putting marks on the floor, as need arises. Staff members and users will be shielded from each other with a plastic sheet or a similar item.
4) Users of equipment for experiment or skills practice that is shared by two or more people are advised to wipe clean the equipment as necessary before use.
5) The number of users simultaneously using a locker room or a shower room shall be limited as necessary.
6) There will be marks on the floor of each restroom to maintain distance between users waiting in line.
7) Tokyo Satellite Campus and Osaka Satellite Campus will be operated according to these guidelines, the operating standards described in item 19) of the above “1. Basic Matters,” and notices issued by the Tokyo and Osaka prefectural governments, respectively.
8) Residents of student dormitories should follow these guidelines as well as the operating standards described in item 19) of the above “1. Basic matters.”
9) Facilities that are open to alumni and the general public, in addition to students, faculty and staff, shall be open in accordance with these guidelines and the operating standards described in item 19) of the above “1. Basic Matters.”

4. Use of Cafeterias and Shops

1) Admission shall be restricted at peak times as necessary.
2) Customers should sanitize their hands using the hand sanitizer equipped at the entrance before entering the cafeteria or the shop.
3) The entrance and the exit of the cafeteria shall be separated in order to fix the flow of customers.
4) There will be marks on the floor of each shop to maintain distance between customers waiting in line at the cashier.
5) Employees and customers will be shielded from each other with a plastic sheet or a similar item.
6) Partitions for preventing droplet infection shall be placed on the tables, or a certain distance shall be maintained between the seats by reducing the number of chairs or by other means.
7) Customers are asked to refrain from talking in loud voices and to leave the cafeteria as soon as they finish their meals, keeping their stay to a minimum.
8) Employees and vendors are instructed to manage their hygiene and health thoroughly, checking that they have no fever or cold-like symptoms.

5. Extracurricular Activities

1) Student groups and clubs (all groups including unofficial ones) and students (hereinafter collectively “student groups etc.”) that wish to use a university facility for extracurricular activities are required to submit their plan to prevent spread of infection related to the use of the facility when applying for using the facility.
2) Student groups etc. that use a university facility for extracurricular activities must submit their activity report after use to the department that handled their application for using the facility.
3) Student groups etc. must manage and observe the health status of the members on a daily basis. Those with symptoms such as fever, fatigue, cough, sore throat, headache etc., even if it is mild, must not participate in the extracurricular activities.
4) Groups affiliated with Gakuyudan and groups registered with the Student Support Services Center (hereinafter collectively “officially recognized groups etc.”) that regularly engage in extracurricular activities are required to submit their plan to prevent spread of infection based on the characteristics of the activities of the group (including measures for using their club room) to the Student Support Services Center. Activities of officially recognized groups etc. that fail to submit the plan will not be permitted.
5) With regard to extracurricular activities of officially recognized groups etc., the Student Support Services Center may separately advise them how to prevent spread of infection according to the characteristics of their respective activities and may also restrict their activities.
6) Student groups etc. that use a university facility for extracurricular activities must follow these guidelines as well as the operating standards described in item 19) of the above “1. Basic Matters.”
7) Student groups etc. that use an off-campus facility for extracurricular activities must follow the infection prevention manual or equivalent instructions designated by the facility or the host organization. Officially recognized groups etc. that participate in off-campus games and practices, official matches, recitals and other off-campus events must notify the Student Support Services Center. Without the notification, off-campus extracurricular activities will not be permitted.
8) Depending on the content of extracurricular activities, student groups etc. are also recommended to try online extracurricular activities according to the “Guidelines for Online Extracurricular Activities (tentative version).”

6. Research Activities

1) Doshisha University shall continue its research activities with reference to points of attention listed in the MEXT’s “Guidelines for Conducting Research Activities While Preventing Spread of Infection.”
2) Those who use a university facility for their research activities shall follow these guidelines and the operating standards described in item 19) of the above “1. Basic Matters.”
3) Overseas travel or invitation of researchers shall be carried out according to item 11) and 12) of the above “1. Basic Matters.”
4) For a research group, joint research or research involving examinees, the organizer should keep a list of participants (including those outside the university) in an appropriate manner. In addition to taking measures to avoid the risk of spread of infection as much as possible, online meetings and combination with an online format are encouraged depending on the research content.

7. Reception Work, Administrative Structure, Internal Meetings

Offices will be open for in-person services during the relevant office hours during and outside lecture weeks respectively. However, office hours are subject to change as appropriate when there is an increasing trend of infections in Kyoto Prefecture or the Kansai region.