Dear TUJ students:
As we enter the month of March, 2023, we hope that you are thriving. Please remember that we are here to assist you, so please do not hesitate to reach out to TUJ staff or faculty for assistance with your studies or pathway to a valuable university degree. Today, I have an upcoming item for you.
Masks Optional starting Mar. 13 (Monday)
Based on recent announcements by the Japanese government, expert recommendations, and a greater understanding of COVID-19, we are announcing that masks will be optional at TUJ effective March 13th (Monday), 2023 in all on-campus settings. This includes both indoor and outdoor settings. Please note the following:
- We continue to request that TUJ community members refrain from coming to campus when feeling sick or experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19, influenza, or other illnesses.
- If you want to continue wearing a mask for your own peace of mind or because you have personal or medical reasons for doing so, that is fine. No one will ever be asked not to wear a mask. It is important that we all respect masking choices, and avoid stigmatizing those who choose to wear masks.
- One-way masking is highly effective in protecting those who are vulnerable to the virus, such as the elderly and immunocompromised. One-way masking involves wearing a mask when others around you are not wearing masks.
- By way of background, TUJ’s masking approach has largely mirrored the Japanese government’s guidelines. Last May, the government modified its recommendations and stated that masks were optional outdoors and in some indoor settings. We shifted our on-campus approach accordingly. Recently, Prime Minister Kishida announced that Japan will further relax its COVID-19 guidelines with respect to schools, public transportation, and other activities starting this month. Also, Japan will downgrade the legal status of COVID-19 in early May to a level equivalent to influenza.
We thank everyone for your continued efforts in keeping our community safe over the past several years. As we make the shift to a mask-optional approach, we appreciate everyone’s understanding and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Matthew Wilson
Dean