On July 8, the government decided to declare a state of emergency for Tokyo and Okinawa prefectures until August 22 and to extend the quasi-emergency measures for Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, and Osaka prefectures until August 22. Five prefectures, including Hokkaido and Kyoto, lifted their emergency measures on July 11.

Ritsumeikan University has decided to maintain the BCP level of Level 2 for the time being based on the status of COVID-19 infections and the level of requests from the national and local governments.

From now on, nationwide vaccination is expected to proceed and yield collective immunity; however, due to the current situation whereby the Delta strain, a virus variant first confirmed in India, is spreading, students, faculty, and staff are requested to continue exercising basic infection control measures.
To counter the virus variants, health officials recommend exercising the same basic infection control measures as before, namely, avoiding the Three Cs, wearing masks, and washing your hands. In addition, schools are required to maintain as much physical distance as possible, and at least one meter, in their classrooms even in areas where the infection level is Level 1 or 2. For the time being, we ask that you continue to thoroughly implement the infection prevention measures as we have been doing up until now.

1)　Wear a mask. Nonwoven masks are recommended. Make sure you wear your mask properly.
Nonwoven masks are recommended because they more effective at protecting against the spread and inhalation of droplets. Wearing a mask with your nose sticking out can lead to inhalation of droplets through your nose. Please wear masks correctly covering both your nose and mouth without leaving any gaps.
2)　If you have to remove your mask, be sure to put it back on as soon as you can.
3)　To combat the virus variants, the basic protocols (wearing a mask, avoiding the Three Cs, and physical distancing) should be strictly followed.
4)　When eating, please keep a distance of at least one meter between yourself and others. Do not face each other when you eat and eat in silence.
Talking during meals heightens the risk of infection. You are most likely to remove your mask when you eat. When eating on campus, as part of club activities, or with other people, always keep a distance of at least one meter, do not face each other, and eat in silence. Save your conversation until after you have finished eating and be sure to wear a mask.
5)　Please do not have drinking parties, get-togethers, or house parties. Do not eat and drink with friends in public places such as hotels or outdoor parks and avoid group get-togethers involving eating and drinking with seminar classmates or club members.
6)　Wash and disinfect your hands frequently, especially before meals, after using the bathroom, and after returning home.
7)　If you feel sick or contract a fever, please refrain from coming to school and call the university’s Medical Service Center or a nearby medical institution for a consultation before going to see a doctor.
8)　Please contact the university or school in the following cases:
・If you think you may have been infected.
・If you have taken a PCR test.
・If you have become a close contact of an infected person.