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Measures taken at school Policy for current and new students Travel advice
COVID-19 Measures and Policy
Measures taken at school Policy for current and new students Travel advice
Coronavirus and GenkiJACS
It has been some time since we first heard of coronavirus, and since the Japanese government started taking measure to slow down and control the spread of the virus. While the actual threat to our students continues to be extremely low, GenkiJACS is taking industry-leading precautions to make sure that our students are safe. Because of it, we have a special announcement for our student in Tokyo:
Since the number of coronavirus cases in Tokyo has been increasing recently, there is a chance that the governor may request a lockdown (asking people to remain in their homes) in the near future. While no students or staff at GenkiJACS have been confirmed or suspected of coronavirus infection, we care about the health and wellbeing of our students and staff. As a precautionary measure, GenkiJACS Tokyo will stop all in-person classes at school, and offer online lessons exclusively for two weeks from April 6th until April 17th.
It is not a permanent measure by any means, but should the situation stay the same we may extend this period. But we will, of course, let you know should anything change.
If you are studying or about to study with us at our Tokyo branch, we can offer the following two options:
- Move to another GenkiJACS branch with financial help from our side!
For all students who would prefer to continue in-person classes, you have an option of moving to one of our other Japanese schools, in Fukuoka or Kyoto.
We are waiving all additional fees for this transfer, as well as providing up to 10,000 Yen support for transport costs.
To qualify for the move, you must meet all of the following conditions: - Plan to study in Fukuoka or Kyoto for at least 2 weeks (longer is OK too)
- Not have any symptoms associated with coronavirus, for the two weeks before the transfer
- Not have attended events with large numbers of unknown people in enclosed spaces during March
- Be able to transfer at any date between now and Sunday, April 12th
- Take Online Lessons in Tokyo for free and add the weeks taken online at the end of your current course or use them within two years. These online lessons are given at no extra cost, and they are not counted against the study weeks you booked. So, if you take two weeks of online lessons, you can add two weeks of in-school lessons to the end of your study period, or you can come back and study for two weeks at any time within the next two years. (However, please note that no refunds will be given for any weeks of online lessons taken) If you do not have a PC or tablet, we will lend you one (as long as supplies last).
We will continue running classes in Fukuoka and Kyoto normally, making sure to do the following:
- Cleaning all tables, doorknobs and handrails every day with disinfectant.
- Providing hand disinfectant in all classrooms and shared spaces at school.
- Providing free masks and rubber gloves to all students and staff who want them.
- Installing anti-bacterial and virus protection devices in shared spaces at school.
- Advising students on procedures to prevent possible infection directly, and through posters and other methods.
- Visually and verbally checking student and staff health condition each morning, and checking the temperature of anyone who is not in perfect health.
- Posting information on our website, Facebook page, and other public locations.
- Avoiding places where lots of people congregate when taking students outside of school.
- Not allowing visitors inside the schools.
- Allowing students to change schools without additional fees.
- Anyone with transit flights going through Korea or China and the counties listed here https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html are advised on what to do when in transit or asked to potentially change their flight paths.
- Students who have spent time in China, South Korea, or any country on this list https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html are required to wait 14 days before attending classes.
- Students who are unable to attend class physically can attend virtually, using Zoom online meeting software.
- All teachers and staff who have symptoms associated with coronavirus (and are not diagnosed with a different illness) are required to not attend school for 14 days, and are provided with special paid leave or remote work.
- All students are required to fill out a questionnaire before starting school confirming that they do not have symptoms associated with coronavirus, nor have they been to any of the specific areas with widespread coronavirus infection.
We will, of course, keep you updated with any new information, and we’re looking forward to seeing you in Japan!
Current Policy
(as of March 24, 2020)
- Affected Students The restrictions below will be applied to all students in either of the following situation:
- Students who are from or stayed in the following countries/areas within 14 days of arriving in Japan:
- China
- South Korea
- Countries in the following list: Travel restrictions countries
- Students from anywhere who experience symptoms associated with coronavirus (fever over 37.5 degrees for 4 days or more, dry cough, fatigue) within 14 days before arriving in Japan, or after arriving in Japan, and are not diagnosed by a doctor with a specific other illness
- Restrictions Students meeting the conditions above may not attend school for 14 days after arriving in Japan. If scheduled to stay with a host family, they may be required to stay in special accommodation* for this period. During this period, they may attend their originally scheduled classes virtually (online, using video meeting software) without additional charge. Any weeks of class that they miss will be credited to them, to be added to the end of their study, taken during a pre-planned holiday period, or kept as credit for up to two years from the originally planned date of study.
- Cancellation policy The conditions here supersede GenkiJACS' normal cancellation policies, and are in effect until April 30, 2020.
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- If a student becomes unable to come to Japan because of flight cancellation, health problems, or government restriction, the student may postpone their study for up to two years from the originally planned date of study without any additional charges, regardless of how late the postponement is in advance of the planned study date.
- If a student becomes unable to come to Japan within two weeks before study starts because of flight cancellation, health problems, or government restriction, and wishes to cancel their study, GenkiJACS will refund all fees except any expenses that GenkiJACS has incurred, upon receipt of proof of flight cancellation or health problem.
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- If a student currently at school is required to return home by order of their government or local authority, the student may postpone the remainder of their study for up to two years without any additional charges. So, for example, if a student was scheduled to study for four more weeks, but must return home, they may come back to Japan any time within the next two years and study for four weeks for no additional cost.
- If a student currently at school is required to return home by order of their government or local authority, and wishes to cancel the remainder of their study, GenkiJACS will refund all fees except any expenses that GenkiJACS has incurred.
Note: all refunds are on a weekly basis, any week started cannot be refunded
- In conditions other than the above, GenkiJACS' normal policies will apply.
* If you are unsure about where to self-quarantine, contact us and we will help you.
Travel advice
Flight / Health
- Please read this travel restrictions update from the Japanese government from March 27th: Strengthening border measures related to novel coronavirus (COVID-19): Visa restrictions
If you are coming from or transiting via zones deemed at risk by the Japanese government, we recommend that you use precaution and follow these guidelines:
- Wear a mask at all times
- Keep to the basic rules of hygiene
- Wash your hands regulary (every hour if possible)
- Gargle with a mouth gargling solution
- If you are coming from or transiting via zones under the travel restrictions decided by the Japanese government please note that:
- *You will not be able to fly directly to Fukuoka and will need to fly to either:
- Tokyo
- Osaka
- **The Japanese government will ask you to self-quarantine for 14 days in a hotel/accommodation you will need to have booked yourself
- **You will not be able to use public transports during this quarantine
* South Korea, China (including Hong Kong and Macau)
** USA (from March 26th), South Korea, China (including Hong Kong and Macau)
Travel insurance
- Your travel insurance may be affected by the current situation. Before travelling, we recommend that you check your travel insurance policy carefully and contact your travel insurer if you have questions or concerns about whether you are covered by your insurance policy for any potential COVID-19 related expenses. Travel insurance cover differs from company to company.
- For students that have booked a travel insurance with us, we confirm here that this travel insurance covers cases involving the coronavirus.