Guiding Principles for Resuming Economic and Social Activities in Hachijojima

Seeing the ever-changing daily situation and with the anticipation of an extended need for measures against the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Hachijo Town has greatly considered the future course of action.
On May 25, the state of emergency was lifted and the calls for self-restraint in Tokyo were eased. However, while the tendency of the new cases had temporarily indicated a decline, the infections continued with clusters being confirmed in hospitals and entertainment districts, so Tokyo alert followed which was issued on June 2, and was then lifted on the 12th of the same month.
For that reason, we ask everyone to refrain from engaging in any unnecessary activities throughout June, but we will be easing the calls for self-restraint from June 19 in accordance with the prefectural and state government. Thereafter, we request the locals and those who will be coming to the island to stay vigilant and be sensible, and act only after having taken appropriate measures against the virus.
Tokyo, while tackling to resume economic activities, has laid out its “with corona” principles as the new lifestyle is expected to stay. Based on that, Hachijo Town added its own characteristics and hopes it will serve as a guide to the new lifestyle after the calls for self-restraint and other restrictions are gone past June 19.
Note that the self-restraint policing and similar excessive acts are reported. The principles provided only serve as an advisory and no one will be subjected to penalty or fine should one act differently, or if someone takes extra measures not mentioned in the guidelines. The situation differs by the type of work that is being done, how many people interact with one another, etc. therefore while some might need strict measures it does not apply to everyone. We ask the locals to be mindful and give thought about what is necessary in each instance and act accordingly.
Finally, the town's hospital can only accommodate two covid-19 patients. Even if a single case is confirmed the burden for the staff will be too high and it is expected that a collapse of the medical system will follow. Please heed the call and let us avoid such collapse by protecting one another.

The new lifestyle is basically a way of living while taking appropriate measures against the virus as we slowly return to the old lifestyle.

Avoid the “Three Cs”:

• 1. Closed spaces (with poor ventilation)
• 2. Crowded places (with many people nearby)
• 3. Close-contact settings (such as close-range conversations)

Behavior on the island

Going to the mainland and back

We are sure that there will be a lot of people traveling back and forth between Hachijojima and the mainland. As such, we ask you to look up the virus situation of your destination beforehand and take the least risky actions when there.

Going to the mainland

When going to the mainland it is best to think and act in the same way you would do on the island while also taking into consideration the recommendations provided by your visiting area’s government. Furthermore, in case a state of emergency is reissued, we will ask everyone to refrain from going to the mainland and engaging in other unnecessary activities.
As always, abide by the measures set in place in each facility and avoid places that had confirmed clusters, or infected visitors. Lastly, taking notes of the visited places should bring a sense of security.

Returning to the island

If you contract the virus, the symptoms are said to appear on average in 5-6 days’ time, or 2 weeks at the latest. It is pivotal to stop the spread of the virus, therefore after coming back keep track of your wellbeing and be wary of any changes for two weeks. To protect the lives of those precious to us, think before taking certain action as you might unconsciously infect the people around you.

Having doubts whether you have been infected or not?

Call the hospital or the health center and consult with them first. By no means should you visit the hospital without a prior consultation over the phone. If COVID-19 is confirmed, you will be hospitalized. Abide by the doctors in that case. Also, your close contacts will be examined and depending on the results, calls for self-refrain and other measures will follow.
Even if a single case of the COVID-19 is confirmed on the island, all previous restrictions will return. Do not be misled by rumors or speculations and refer only to the official information disclosed by the town.

Close contact, as described by the government, is someone with whom you have spent at least 15 minutes in a less than 1-meter distance without any preventions against an infection two days before the symptoms appeared.

Tourism related workers

If by chance a tourist is confirmed with the virus, you might be asked to cooperate with the health center, therefore those who work in the tourism-related businesses are asked to have a good grasp of close contacts and movement history of the past two days. This is to stop the potential spread of the virus on the island because the close contacts may have had contact with the virus-contracted person.

Business related visitors

Everyone visiting the island for the purpose of doing business are asked to wear masks, avoid the “Three Cs”, take appropriate measures, and also make the stay as short as possible.
Also, as with the above-mentioned tourist scenario, if the visitor is confirmed to have the virus, we will ask for your cooperation in tracking down the close contacts and past movement history to avoid the spread of the virus.