June 1, 2022

Measures to prevent infection when dining in groups

The "rebound alert period" in the Tokyo metropolitan area has ended and the number of infections is on the decline. Accordingly, Keio University has made the following changes to the previous guidance for group dining, which included specific restrictions such as refraining from eating or drinking in groups exceeding four people. This is not to say that the risk of infection has gone away. Just as they have until now, it is paramount that each and every Keio student conduct themselves in a model fashion, maintain self-discipline, and remain vigilant to their surroundings. We ask for your continued diligence in strictly adhering to infection control measures.

Preventing and limiting the spread of COVID-19 infections:

--Remain vigilant during COVID-19; protect yourself, protect others--
The below measures will go some way to circumventing situations involving close contact and environments in which there is a risk of airborne droplets, in addition to limiting the impact scope in the unlikely event that infections should occur.

1. Basic infection control measures

　(1) Wearing a mask (non-woven), and observing cough etiquette
　(2) Thorough hand hygiene (hand washing, alcohol disinfection) and gargling
　(3) Frequent ventilation
　(4) Maintaining physical distance (social distancing)
　(5) Avoiding gathering in large numbers and crowded places
　(6) Frequent cleaning and disinfection of places that are touched by a large, unspecifiable number of people

2. Infection control measures when dining in group settings (eating and drinking while conversing with multiple people)

Please aim for the following when dining in groups.
　(1) Wearing a mask while talking
　(2) Choosing restaurants that have been certified by the local government
　(3) Following the rules set by the local government and restaurants to prevent infection
　(4) Trying to keep time spent eating short, groups small, and refraining from moving or rearranging seating from its original position
　(5) Avoiding situations involving people raising their voices such as karaoke
　(6) Taking steps to be ready in the case an infection does occur, such as writing down names to keep track of who participates in a given group meal
　(7) Thinking of ways to break the chain of infection, such as taking advantage of free PCR testing

Please refer to the following resources for information on how to better recognize behaviors corresponding to close contact when eating in groups.
Measures in response to COVID-19 (coronavirus disease): Precautions when eating or drinking

3. Refrain from eating and drinking in public spaces such as stations, streets, parks, etc.

4. Monitor your health on a daily basis by taking your temperature, etc., and refrain from activities when unwell

* In the case that a faculty has its own discrete rules in place, comply with the faculty's instructions

• Guidelines for measures that can be implemented against COVID-19 infection at schools and workplaces (Keio University Health Center)
http://www.hcc.keio.ac.jp/en/infection/coronavirus-guide.html

• "An Encouragement of COVID-19 Measures" (published by the All Keio Student Senate, Keio student representative, in collaboration with volunteers from the School of Medicine) -Japanese language only
https://sites.google.com/keio.jp/jyukusei-covid-19

• About COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) - Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/0000164708_00001.html

What to do if you are infected or suspect you may be

Please follow the instructions on the following flowchart if you test positive for COVID-19, you suspect you may be infected, you feel unwell, or may have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. By reporting and taking the appropriate measures quickly, you can help prevent the spread of infections. Please have the courage to report to the Health Center and do not hide a suspected infection or neglect to make a report.

・Flowchart for what to do if you test positive for COVID-19 or suspect you may be infected.

Relatively young people, including university students, often have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all when infected, unwittingly spreading the virus to family and friends. This is one of the main factors contributing to the rise in the numbers of severe cases and deaths. Young people may also develop severe symptoms, and there are cases in which even mild conditions lead to serious long-term effects. Please remember that casual actions have the potential to endanger the health and lives of you and your loved ones.

Keio University Student Affairs Center