Dear TUJ community:
We are looking forward to officially kicking off an exciting fall 2022 semester next week. As we prepare to return to campus on August 29th, here is an update on our approach to COVID and health risks. Our plans are guided by advisory guidelines from Japanese public health and government agencies, health expertise from our main campus, and our experience over the past several years. We will continue to monitor and adjust our approach according to the situation.
Help Protect On-Campus Health
We are grateful that our students, faculty, and staff remain committed to keeping the TUJ community safe and healthy. COVID will continue to impact all of us. Fortunately, serious cases continue to be very limited in Japan. In an effort to keep our campus healthy in terms of COVID and other airborne illnesses, we ask that you:
- Regularly monitor your health
- Stay away from campus if you have a fever or cold-like symptoms, or suspect that you have COVID.
- Take precautionary measures such as good hygiene measures (e.g. proper hand washing, avoid touching face, etc.), frequent ventilation, and masking.
- Avoid crowded places with poor ventilation and close-contact settings -- especially if you are talking a lot or using a louder voice
We also request your cooperation with the matters detailed below.
1. Contact us if you test positive
If you test positive for COVID, please email tujcovid@tuj.temple.edu as soon as possible so that we can contact trace and notify those who might have been exposed.
2. Wearing a mask
If you are concerned about COVID-19, the best way to protect yourself is to wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask. The effectiveness of this type of one-way masking has been documented. If helpful, free KF94/KN95 masks are available at the Information Center (first floor)
When it comes to masking, we understand that everyone has different perspectives. Japan still continues to encourage masking in many situations. In fact, the most recent guidance from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare encourages masking as a preventative measure -- except for outdoor settings (walking, running, cycling, and talking outdoors) and indoor environments where there is adequate spacing, good ventilation, and limited conversation (quiet study spaces/work areas with sufficient spacing). We also see masks commonly removed for eating and drinking in various settings. For now, we will continue to encourage our community to wear masks in line with these suggestions.
We are regularly monitoring the situation and may adjust our approach later in the semester depending on the circumstances. We encourage everyone to take into consideration all factors, including the setting, COVID-19 transmission levels, and your own health while respecting the decisions of others to protect themselves.
3. Vaccinations
We continue to strongly recommend vaccinations and booster shots. High vaccination rates have helped the TUJ community in terms of minimizing the impact of COVID, both on individuals and on campus. In looking at the low number of serious COVID cases in Tokyo, it does appear that vaccinations have helped mitigate the seriousness of the situation.
4. Testing
Before returning to campus this fall, we encourage all members of the Temple community to self-test before arrival. Tests are readily available for free throughout Tokyo. Testing can help keep everyone safe.
5. Quarantine and isolation
Students who test positive are encouraged to isolate at home and away from campus. We continue to follow local guidelines when it comes to quarantine and isolation. Our team will continue to work with anyone who tests positive for COVID.
Closing Thoughts
While the pandemic is not yet behind us, this fall semester we will again be able to offer students, faculty and staff a dynamic, in-person academic experiences in addition to a number of online offerings. That said, we must also continue to be flexible and be ready to pivot should circumstances change. We appreciate everyone’s willingness to follow this guidance and continue to prioritize the collective well-being of the TUJ community.
Thank you for being part of our community.
Sincerely,
Matthew Wilson
Dean