We would like to announce that the following administrative notification regarding countermeasures against COVID-19 in schools issued by MEXT.

Contact:
The Office for a Professional Platform of Health and Hygiene Environment in Schools for Foreign Students provided by MEXT
TEL: 050-3187-8114 (a multilingual consultation service)
Email: hsfs@mediphone.jp

Revision of Basic Policies of Wearing Masks at Schools
from New School Term (Notification)

Director-General of the Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau, MEXT
Fujiwara Akio

As announced in the "Notice on the Basic Policy on the Use of Masks at Graduation Ceremonies (Notice)" (No. 2153, dated February 10, 2023 <5th year of Reiwa>, issued by the Director-General of the Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau of MEXT), the "Revision of the Policy on the Use of Masks" (decided by Novel Coronavirus Response Headquarters on February 10, 2023 <5th year of Reiwa>) , it is stated that "the wearing of a mask shall not be requested during school educational activities" in the new school term after April 1.

Based on the decision of the Headquarters, the "COVID-19 Infection Control Manuals and Guidelines for Schools" has been revised. We wish to inform you of the main revisions and points to keep in mind as follows. We request each Board of Education and school to take appropriate measures based on these revisions, such as whether or not to wear a mask in schools from the new school term onward.

Please note that the decision by the Headquarters also states that, not only schools, but society as a whole "may have to take stronger infection control measures, such as temporarily calling widely for the use of a mask depending on the situation, if infection is spreading widely and significantly.”

As the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (hereafter referred to as MEXT) plans to revise its measures against infectious diseases in addition to the usage of a mask, planning to reclassify its category to Class 5 Infectious Disease under the Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Medical Care for Patients with Infectious Diseases（Act No. 114 of 1998）on May 8 of this year. Please note that MEXT also plans to revise the Enforcement Regulations of the School Health and Safety Act (Order of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture No.18 of 1958）and other related regulations.

The head of the following institutions should inform the institutions they are responsible for.
The superintendent of education of each Prefectural Board of Education shall be responsible to inform schools under his/her authority (including upper secondary school courses of Special Training College; the same shall apply hereinafter) and cities (excluding designated cities) within the region.
The superintendent of education of the Board of Education of each designated city shall be responsible to inform the schools under his/her authority.
The prefectural governor and the head of each local public entity authorized under Article 12, Paragraph 1 of the Act on Special Zones for Structural Reform (Act No. 189 of 2002) which has the authority over school-establishing companies that establish elementary, junior high, and senior high schools, is responsible to inform schools, incorporated educational institution, the heads of municipalities (excluding designated cities) in the region under his/her authority.
The mayor of a designated city or core city shall be responsible to inform the Certified Center for Early Childhood Education and Care（ECEC）.
The head of national university corporations which have affiliated schools should inform schools under their authority.
The Director-General of the Social Affairs and Support Bureau of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare should inform the Upper Secondary Course of Specialized Training College under his/her authority.

(Important Notice)

1.Revision of Basic Policies of Wearing a Mask

(１）Basic Policies

• Wearing of a mask shall not be requested on children, students, teachers, and staff during school educational activities.

• However, wearing a mask while arriving to school and returning, like in crowded trains or buses during rush hours to and from school, or while visiting medical institutions and facilities for the elderly during field trips, shall be encouraged for children, students, teachers, and staff.

• Some children and students may want to continue wearing a mask because they suffer from underlying diseases, etc., and are anxious about infection. However, some may not be able to wear a mask because they have health problems. For these reasons, schools or teachers should not force children and students to wear a mask. Appropriate guidance should be provided so that there is no discrimination or prejudice among students based on whether or not they wear a mask.

• When students participate in "learning activities with a relatively high risk of infection," it is desirable to take specific countermeasures against infectious diseases, as shown in the Appendix, according to the content of the activity. The same should be applied when similar activities are conducted in club activities (extracurricular activities), etc.

• When infectious diseases（not only COVID-19 but also seasonal influenza）are prevalent, teachers and staff may wear a mask or encourage students to wear a mask. But even in those situations, they should not force students to wear a mask.

• Children should also be instructed to use cough etiquette while coughing or sneezing.

• It is not necessary to limit the number of guests, guardians, etc. participating in ceremonies as long as they are seated with adequate space in between so as not to touch each other physically. Similarly, there should be no limitation on the number of participants such as parents/guardians in athletic events and cultural events.

• In addition, it is not necessary to reduce the time or carefully select the type of ceremonies, athletic events, or cultural events can be held, in terms of infection control.

(２）Points to keep in mind while conducting school entrance ceremonies, etc.

• Basically, wearing of a mask should not be forced in ceremonial events such as the forthcoming school entrance ceremonies, as stated in (1).

• While singing the national anthem, school songs, etc., or when multiple students call out to other students, a social distance of approximately 1 m from the front of one’s body and 50 cm on either side should be kept.

2. Implementation of effective ventilation

• In the "Revision of the Concept of Wearing Masks, etc.," it is stated that "...basic infection control measures are important, and we ask you to continue avoiding the 'three Cs', maintaining a safe distance between people, washing hands and other hand hygiene measures, and encouraging ventilation.’  In schools, effective ventilation should still be kept.

＊three C’s:
1. Closed Spaces with poor ventilation
2. Crowded Places with many individuals nearby
3. Close-contact Settings such as proximal-range conversations

• For specific ventilation methods and approaches, refer to "Effective Ventilation to Prevent the Spread of Infection" (July 14, 2022/Recommendation by the Subcommittee on Novel Coronavirus Disease Control) and "Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 by Thorough Ventilation and Effective Implementation" (September 2, 2022/Recommendation by MEXT/Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau).

• It is effective to measure the carbon dioxide concentration using a CO₂ monitor to see if the ventilation is adequate. According to the Standard for School Environmental Sanitation (MEXT Notification No. 60, 2009), the CO₂ level should be under 1,500 ppm, but the Subcommittee on Novel Coronavirus Disease Control recommends that schools "should work on ventilation and keep the CO₂ level down to 1,000 ppm if possible ... depending on the climate and other factors" (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Notification No. 60, 2009). It is necessary to maintain proper ventilation according to this guideline.

• If sufficient ventilation cannot be ensured, supplemental ventilation measures such as installation of circulators or air purifiers with HEPA filters should be taken to ensure sufficient ventilation as much as possible.

3. Measures to be taken at school during lunch period and other meal periods

• During mealtime, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before and after eating, and be careful not to spread droplets during the mealtime.

• “Silent eating” is not necessary if proper ventilation is ensured and if individuals refrain from loud conversations and the desks are not facing each other, or if a certain distance (about 1 m) is maintained between students while facing each other.

[Reference Material]
COVID-19 Infection Control Manuals and Guidelines for Schools (2023.4.1 Ver9) <in Japanese>
https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/coronavirus/mext_00029.html

End of Important Notice

(Appendix)

Infectious Disease Control Measures for
"Learning Activities with Relatively High Risk of Infection”

Common to all subjects

“Group work, etc., in which students work face-to-face”

• If climate permits, windows in two directions shall be opened simultaneously to provide constant ventilation, and CO₂ monitors shall be used to measure if the ventilation is appropriate.

• If sufficient ventilation cannot be ensured, supplemental measures such as circulators or air purifiers with HEPA filters shall be taken.

• Activities should be conducted in small groups and loud conversations should be avoided.

“Activities that involve conversation ‘all at once and loudly’”.

• If climate permits, windows in two directions shall be opened simultaneously to provide constant ventilation, and CO₂ monitors shall be used to measure if the ventilation is appropriate.

• If sufficient ventilation cannot be ensured, supplemental measures such as circulators or air purifiers with HEPA filters shall be taken.

• Resist talking face-to-face when you are close together.

Science

“Experiments and observations conducted by students in groups”

• If climate permits, windows in two directions shall be opened simultaneously to provide constant ventilation, and CO₂ monitors shall be used to measure if the ventilation is appropriate.

• If sufficient ventilation cannot be ensured, supplemental measures such as circulators or air purifiers with HEPA filters shall be taken.

• Activities should be conducted in small groups and loud conversations should be avoided.

• While using shared or equipment and utensils provided by school, sufficient distance should be maintained among the students so that they are not in touching contact with each other. It is essential to locate the equipment and utensils in appropriate distance and plan the order of use beforehand.

Music

“Choral singing and performances by pupils on recorders, keyboard harmonica, etc."

• If climate permits, windows in two directions shall be opened simultaneously to provide constant ventilation, and CO₂ monitors shall be used to measure if the ventilation is appropriate.

• If sufficient ventilation cannot be ensured, supplemental measures such as circulators or air purifiers with HEPA filters shall be taken.

• Ensure social distance of approximately 1m in the front (from the center of the body), approx..50cm on left and right side. Singers and players should refrain from singing or playing facing each other.

Drawing, manual arts, fine arts, crafts

“Creative activities, appreciation of Arts and Crafts done together by students”

• If climate permits, windows in two directions shall be opened simultaneously to provide constant ventilation, and CO₂ monitors shall be used to measure if the ventilation is appropriate.

• If sufficient ventilation cannot be ensured, supplemental measures such as circulators or air purifiers with HEPA filters shall be taken.

• Activities should be conducted in small groups and loud conversations should be avoided.

• While using shared or equipment and utensils provided by school, sufficient distance should be maintained among the students so that they are not in touching contact with each other. It is essential to locate the equipment and utensils in appropriate distance and plan the order of use beforehand.

Home economics, Technology and Home economics

“Cooking practice by students in groups”

• If climate permits, windows in two directions shall be opened simultaneously to provide constant ventilation, and CO₂ monitors shall be used to measure if the ventilation is appropriate.

• If sufficient ventilation cannot be ensured, supplemental measures such as circulators or air purifiers with HEPA filters shall be taken.

• Activities should be conducted in small groups and loud conversations should be avoided.

• While using shared or equipment and utensils provided by school, sufficient distance should be maintained among the students so that they are not in touching contact with each other. It is essential to locate the equipment and utensils in appropriate distance and plan the order of use beforehand.

• While tasting, avoid loud conversations, do not sit across from each other, and if you do sit across from each other, keep a certain distance (approximately 1 meter) between your seats.

Physical, Health Education

“When you have to be in contact with other individual’s body during sports or activities”

• If climate permits, windows in two directions shall be opened simultaneously to provide constant ventilation, and CO₂ monitors shall be used to measure if the ventilation is appropriate.

• If sufficient ventilation cannot be ensured, supplemental measures such as circulators or air purifiers with HEPA filters shall be taken.

• Refrain from loud conversations.

• While you are watching others play or when you are having a break, etc., keep social distance from each other so as not to touch each other and refrain from loud conversation or shouting.