Starting in the three provinces of Tokai, Mie, Aichi and Gifu, there are several cases of coronavirus being registered across the country.  The authorities ask for everyone’s cooperation for thorough preventive measures and to keep the maximum alert this New Year’s holiday.

1. Be careful on traveling between provinces

• Many people travel around on New Year’s holidays, so try to change the date of your trip to other provinces.
• Avoid going to other provinces between December 28, 2020 and January 11, 2021

2. Be aware of this 5 situations that can increase the risk of contamination

• If you are drinking alcohol, talking or eating with others
• If you are going to spend a lot of time eating and drinking in the presence of many people
• If you are going to talk without wearing masks
• If you are living with other people in tight apartments
• If you are moving between different locations

Sources:

Government Office homepage: https://corona.go.jp/en/

Japan Immigration Services Agency homepage: http://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/930006297.pdf

3. Follow the preventive measures when you return to the province where you live

• Consider changing the date you will be returning
• Two weeks before your return, take care of your physical condition and avoid actions that may increase the risk of infection
• Avoid going back if you are not feeling well
• Inform the items mentioned above to family members and close people

4. Avoid parties like “Shin-nenkai” and “Bonen-kai”

• Be very careful when you are with relatives as well as meetings with friends and co-workers

< Examples of items that require attention >

1 – If you are feeling sick, don’t participate in parties or gatherings

2 – Meet for a short time and with as few people as possible

3 – Take care with the amount of alcohol you consume

4 – Sit diagonally, avoiding chairs in front of or next to others

5 – Do not share plates and cutlery

6 – etc.

There are contagion outbreaks (clusters) in restaurants.  When you go to the location with reduced opening hours, check the guidelines of the region and take great care.

5. Folow the preventive measures at seasonal events

• If you are going to participate in seasonal events (Christmas, New Year’s Eve, New Year, first visit to temples, among others), take distance from other people, wear masks, don’t speak out loud, avoid drinking alcohol and so thorough preventive measures.  If you are unable to implement the preventive measures, do not participate.

6. Keep yourself informed about the basic preventive measures to implement them

• It is important for everyone to take preventive measures. Follow basic preventive measures, such as wearing masks, washing hands, cleaning hands and fingers, keeping distance from people, etc. others.
• Click here to see basic preventive measures (Mie prefecture website in easy Japanese about the new coronavirus)

7. Respect human rights related to the coronavirus pandemic

• Never discriminate or disrespect people who have become infected or contaminated groups, or people who have returned to their homes after traveling.
• Never commit discrimination or prejudice based on social networks, rumors or fake News

See here the joint message from the mayors of Aichi, Gifu and Mie published on December 15 (in Japanese only).

Click here to see the Mie Info page on coronavirus.

If you are experiencing difficulties due to the new coronavirus, consult with the MieCo, Consultation Center for Foreign Residents in Mie

Tel: 080-3300-8077 (assistance in several languages)

Monday to Friday (except holidays), from 9 am to 5 pm

* Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and during December 29th and January 3rd.