(March 16, 2020) iCLA Information on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) for Degree-Seeking Students

This page provides information about the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for iCLA students. In light of the recent outbreak of COVID-19, iCLA has adopted the following response regarding students coming from outside of Japan to attend classes at iCLA from Spring Semester 2020. Please be sure to check this page regularly for the latest information, as the situation in Japan changes frequently.

If you are an exchange student, please visit the following link:

Cancellation of April 2020 Entrance Ceremony

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Japan, Yamanashi Gakuin University (YGU) has decided to cancel the YGU Entrance Ceremony (university-wide) which was planned on 3 April 2020. We deeply regret that we will not be able to celebrate this special occasion with the new students. The safety and wellbeing of the students is first and foremost. This extremely difficult decision was taken in order to prevent the risk of further infection and we sincerely appreciate your kind understanding on the matter.

Spring Semester 2020 at iCLA

iCLA has been assessing the situation carefully and taking necessary preventive measures against COVID-19 to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the students as our utmost priority. As of 16th March (Monday), there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection at iCLA/YGU and therefore we plan to commence our Spring Semester 2020 as scheduled.

Following should be noted:

Dormitory move-in dates: Remain as planned (i.e. 25^th and 26^th March).
Orientation: Most of the previously scheduled activities will be cancelled. Details will be provided upon your arrival at iCLA.
- JLP Placement Test: March 25 (Wed) and March 26 (Thu) – Details will be provided upon dorm check-in
- EAE Placement Tests: March 27 (Fri) and March 30 (Mon) – both are required for students who will be entering EAE (English for Academic Excellence Program)
- EAE Exemption Test: April 2 (Thu) – Taking both EAE Placement Tests are required to take the exemption test
- EAE Curriculum Info Session: April 3 (Fri) – for EAE students
- Expository Research Writing Test: April 1 (Wed) – for students who wish to take the Expository Research Writing course (EAE students are not eligible)
- Seminar & GRP Info Session: April 1 (Wed) – required for those who wish to register for Seminar and/or GRP in Spring 2020 (Registration Request Form must be submitted before noon (12 pm JST) on March 30)
Classes: Will commence on 6^th April (Monday) as scheduled. There is a possibility that normal classes offered in the classrooms will be cancelled and on-line courses be offered instead.

Travel Restrictions to Japan

Suspension of Visas

As you may be aware, the Government has announced that all visas issued by March 8^th at the Japanese Embassy in the People’s Republic of China and Republic of Korea will be suspended until the end of March 2020. The following measures will be implemented from 0:00 am of March 9th until the last day of the month. (The implementation period can be renewed.)

(1) The validity of single or multiple-entry visa issued by March 8th by Japanese Embassies or Consulates General in China (including Hong Kong and Macau, the same applies hereinafter) or the Republic of Korea will be suspended.

(2) Visa exemption measures for Hong Kong and Macau, and the Republic of Korea will be suspended.

Reference:

https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001051.html

Restrictions on Entry to Japan

In addition, as of 11^th March (Wednesday), the Japanese Government has stepped up its immigration measures restricting entry into Japan for foreign nationals who have Chinese passports issued by Hubei Province or Zhejiang Province in the People’s Republic of China as well as foreign nationals who have stayed in the following cities/provinces/regions within 14 days prior to arrival in Japan.

People’s Republic of China: Hubei Province, Zhejiang Province
Republic of Korea：Daegu-guangyeok-si, or Gyeongsan-si, Andong-si, Yeongcheon-si, Cheondo-gun, Chilgok-gun, Uiseong-gun, Seongju-gun, Gunwi-gun in Gyeongsangbuk-do
Islamic Republic of Iran：Qom Province, Tehran Province, Gilan Province, Manzandaran Province, Isfahan Province, Alborz Province, Markazi Province, Qazvin Province, Semnan Province, Golestan Province, Lorestan Province
Italian Republic：Lombardy Region, Veneto Region, Emilia-Romagna Region, Marche Region, Piedmont Region
the Republic of San Marino

Reference:

https://www.moj.go.jp/content/001316999.pdf

https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/news/20200117

Furthermore, the Government has decided to limit the arrival from the following airports to Narita International Airport or Kansai International Airport.

Applicable airports: Beijing, Dalian, Tianjin, Shanghai (Hongqiao / Pudong), Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Seoul (Gimpo/ Incheon), Busan

Quarantine

All persons entering Japan from China or Republic of Korea by aircraft or other means, including persons without symptoms of illness, will be requested to stay for 14 days at a place designated by the Quarantine Station Chief (such as their homes), and not to use public transportation for any purpose, including transport from airports, etc. Therefore, please ensure that you do not transit through these two countries and reroute your travel plans accordingly.

Reference:

https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/newpage_00032.html

https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/10900000/000605665.pdf

If it is not feasible for you to travel to Japan or if you think the restrictions mentioned above (suspension of visas, restrictions on entry to Japan, and/or quarantine) apply to you, please inform iCLA immediately.

Medical Services

It is to be noted that, in many of the medical institutions in Japan, especially those around the university campus, it is highly unlikely that medical services will be available in a foreign language. There are no hospitals where medical services can be provided in English nor Chinese and university staff will not be able to provide medical interpretation. We would appreciate your kind understanding on this matter.

If a student is not feeling well prior to departure to Japan:

Please check the student’s respective Government’s policy as well as the respective Japanese Embassy/Japanese Consulate’s official home page (if no relevant information is available on home page, contact directly) and follow travel procedures accordingly. Contact iCLA immediately to inform of the student’s health situation and updated travel plans.

If a student is not feeling well after departure from respective country and arrival in Japan:

Inform the Immigration Services Agency at the port of entry into Japan (e.g. Narita Airport/ Haneda Airport) and follow instructions directly provided. Contact iCLA immediately to inform of student’s health situation and instructions received from the immigration authorities.