Cautions on Measures against
COVID-19 and Heatstroke When Walking
Please check the following
before you start walking.

• (1) Checking your physical condition before starting walking
• Check your own physical condition before you start walking.
  For example...
  
  • Do you have a higher fever than your normal body temperature? Do you have a cough, sore throat, or other cold symptoms?
  • Have you been in close contact with someone infected with COVID-19 (including suspected infections)?
  ... and so on.
• (2) Checking the weather and temperature where you are going to walk
• Avoid hot days and times and wear breathable clothes and a hat when walking.
  Particularly caution about heatstroke is needed on days with two or more of these conditions: high temperature, high humidity, no (or little) wind, and strong sunlight. Also, if a heatstroke warning alert (Ministry of the Environment) (external link) * is in force, cancel or postpone exercise as a general rule.
  

  *Heatstroke warning alerts contain information broadcast by the Ministry of the Environment and the Japan Meteorological Agency.
  The information warns people of dangerous heat and encourages them to act to prevent heatstroke when the danger of heatstroke is forecast to be extremely high.

• (3) Maintain sufficient distance and wear a mask
• Maintain a sufficient distance from others and walk alone or in a small group when walking.
  Because wearing a mask while exercising in a hot or humid environment may increase the risk of heatstroke, you do not need to wear a mask if you can maintain a sufficient distance (at least 2 meters) from others and you can limit conversation to a minimum when you cannot maintain distance. In summer in particular, remove your mask in settings when it is not necessary, in view of preventing heatstroke.
  If you are walking with a mask on, do not overexert yourself, as you may not be able to breathe properly and may be physically affected, or you may have difficulty cooling down, thus increasing your risk of heatstroke. If you have trouble breathing, remove your mask temporarily and rest somewhere at a sufficient distance from others around you.
• (4) Washing and sanitizing hands
• While walking, you might touch your face with your hands when wiping away sweat.
  Make sure to wash and sanitize your hands before leaving and when you rest during your walk, as well as when you return home from outside.
• (5) Replenishing fluids and salts frequently
• Be conscious of hydrating frequently, even if you are not thirsty, in view of preventing heatstroke. When drinking sports drinks and the like, try to avoid sharing a drink with several people.
  It is also important to replenish salts when you sweat heavily.
• (6) Moving to cool places
• Quickly moving to a cool place when you feel even a little unwell is effective in preventing heatstroke. Even if you are outside, move to a shaded and well ventilated place.
• See the websites (external link) below for details. * These links lead to websites in Japanese.
• 〇 Heatstroke Prevention Information and Materials Website (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
  〇 Mask Use (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
  〇 COVID-19 Countermeasures: Points to Note for Sport and Exercise, and Exercise Case Examples (Japan Sports Agency)

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