NIG Measures for the Novel Coronavirus Infectious Disease (on October 15th)
The state of emergency was lifted throughout the country on September 30th. In Shizuoka Prefecture, the prefecture’s current alert level is 3 (Require attention within the prefecture / Require caution in some areas outside the prefecture) (Level 6 is the highest level) as of October 15th, 2021. From now on, it will be aimed at gradually bringing the socio-economic activities back to normal while implementing the infection prevention measures, and this attempt should be based on the situation where the risk of infection is kept low.
It is alarmed that the sixth wave is just around the corner which could be caused by the emergence of new mutants. Therefore, it is essential not to let our guard down and to continue to work on prevention measures.
Under these circumstances, we set the NIG guidelines for activity restrictions as follows. In order to curb the spread of infection, we will make efforts in implementing the measures to avoid the risk of being infected. The prevention measures stated below are designed on the assumption that NIG members have already received vaccination, however we also pay adequate attention to those who have not been vaccinated yet.
(Special Notes)
“NIG Five Basic Prevention Measures” based on the former infection prevention measures
– Being more mindful about wearing a mask
– Ventilation
– Hand sanitizing
– Monitoring health condition
– Eating silently
NIG’s Various Prevention Measures
[1] Work arrangements
Working from home is recommended. We also take advantage of online meeting opportunities. Commuters using public transportation should give the utmost consideration to the prevention of the spread of infection by such way of staggering commuting hours.
[2] Education
When conducting face-to-face research guidance, laboratory meetings and lectures, we hold them online, too.
[3] Conference
When having face-to-face meetings, we give the utmost consideration to the prevention of the spread of infection.
[4] Business trip, outside work
When making business trips or engaging in out-of-office work, we take notes of our health condition for the following period*. (*the period of two weeks before and after the business trip / the out-of-office work and the period during the business trip / the out-of-office work).
[5] Treatment of visitors
We ask our visitors (excluding brief time visitors such as delivery vendors) to monitor their health conditions using the Health Observation Form for the period of two weeks before their visit to NIG (and during their visit).
We also ask our visitors for cooperation in following the NIG Five Basic Prevention Measures such as wearing masks and sanitizing hands when entering our facilities.
[Measures for preventing infection]
It has been regarded that the major infection routes of the novel coronavirus are transmission through “contagious infection” and through “droplet infection” (caused by airborne droplets). However, the latest research indicates that the “aerial infection” is another transmission pathway. Moreover, a vaccine breakthrough infection has become apparent, which indicates that the vaccination is incapable of protecting us from the novel coronavirus 100%.
This virus is characterized by the following features: infected individuals can spread the virus prior to showing symptoms, and many of the infected people are asymptomatic although contagious. In other words, it takes time before we realize that we are infected with the virus.
In order to keep preventing the spread of infectious disease, we should keep the following in mind: “Do not spread the virus to others”, “Try not to be infected with the virus”, and “We may already have been infected with the virus”. It is important to maintain the infection control measures, such as wearing masks, ventilating rooms, and sanitizing hands.
Best regards,
Fumio Hanaoka
Director-General (Head of the Department of Genetics)
National Institute of Genetics
October 15, 2021
Websites for reference
▶︎Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare “About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)”
