Kashiwa City Community Newspaper 2020.04.01

Changes to smoking rules starting in April

Is smoking allowed there?

Contact: Public Health Center, Health Promotion Division – Phone: 7167-1256, Fax: 7164-1263

In order to prevent exposure to second-hand smoke, it became generally prohibited to smoke on the premises at facilities such as hospitals and schools last year in July. Starting April 1, additional revised health promotion regulations will come into effect. Smoking will now be prohibited in restaurants, offices, and other facilities that are used by a large number of people.

Smoking indoors will be generally prohibited

In order to prevent exposure to second-hand smoke, starting in April, facilities that are used by a large number of people, such as workplaces, restaurants, and amusement centers will be required to have a “general prohibition of smoking indoors”.

People under age 20 are prohibited from entering smoking areas

Since second-hand smoke has a significant effect on the health of people under age 20, they will be prohibited from entering smoking areas.

This includes the following situations:

• Entering a smoking area is prohibited even if it is for cleaning the room for a part-time job.
• Entering a smoking area is prohibited even if it is in the company of their parent or guardian.

Labels are required to indicate smoking areas in facilities

Since smoking indoors is generally prohibited, restaurants and other facilities with smoking areas inside will be required to divide the smoking area by enclosing it with walls and a ceiling, and using appropriate measures to prevent cigarette smoke from drifting out of the room.

In addition, if a restaurant or other facility has a smoking area, the facility will be required to display a notice at the facility entrance, and at the entrance to the smoking area.

Penalties for violation of smoking rules

There are penalties for violation of smoking rules. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the rules.

In the case that a smoking area is in violation of the rules, or measures are not taken to prevent second hand smoke exposure

The management of the facility will be subject to a fine of up to 500,000 yen.

In the case of smoking in a non-smoking area

Each person will be subject to a fine of up to 300,000 yen.

Regarding information about the new coronavirus

Contact: Public Information Division – Phone: 7167-1175, Fax: 7166-8289

This source provides information about testing for the new coronavirus in Kashiwa City, and other information such as measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

Preventing the spread of the virus

The new coronavirus is spread by sprayed droplets and contact. In order to prevent the spread of the virus, please take the following measures.

1. Wash your hands
   After thoroughly wetting your hands with running water, use soap to wash all parts of your hands, including nails, between your fingers, and your wrists. After you have finished washing your hands, rinse your hands well with water, and dry them completely on a clean towel or paper towel.
2. Coughing manners
   Wear a mask to prevent infection through the spray of droplets from coughing or sneezing. If you do not have a mask, be considerate of those around you when you cough or sneeze by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or handkerchief, or your sleeve.

Refresh Plaza Kashiwa and Nanbu Kinrin Community Center Gymnasium – closure and disinfecting

In the Refresh Plaza Kashiwa facility, handrails, chairs and other common areas were disinfected on March 9. On March 13 and 18, the training room and 2nd floor change room were disinfected. At the Nanbu Kinrin Community Center, disinfecting work was done in the gymnasium on March 27.

For information on provisional reopening of the facility rental program, please see the Kashiwa City website.

Consultation can be obtained here

Contact: Kashiwa City consultation center for people with potential exposure to the new coronavirus – Phone: 7167-6777, Fax: 7167-1732

9:00am to 5:00pm. Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays.

For consultation regarding the new coronavirus, a dedicated phone service has been established. If you have any of the following symptoms, please call first for consultation.

• You have had cold symptoms or a fever of 37.5ºC for 4 days or more (including the time when medicine was used to reduce the fever).
• You have a strong feeling of weariness (fatigue) or shortness of breath (difficulty breathing).

Please consult with the consultation center if you are a senior citizen or have an underlying disease, and you have had the symptoms mentioned above for about two days.