Daily protection for older adults based on Japan's epidemic prevention points: wash hands often, ventilate more, and avoid gatherings.
According to Japanese epidemic-prevention materials for older people, older adults are at higher risk of severe illness after infection; the virus is generally spread by droplets and contact. In daily life, they can wash hands after returning home, wash hands before and after cooking, ventilate frequently, avoid crowded and enclosed places, and take walks with one companion. Whether community activities should resume requires consultation with a professional public health nurse.
Machine translation of our Chinese article, without human translation review. Suggestions concerning China remain specific to China.
Automatically reviewed, without human verification. Programmatic checks are not professional review. Seek professional advice where appropriate. Automatically reviewed on 10/4/2026, 7:14:25 AM
Chinese fact summaries and suggestions for China (not a full translation)
Original: 新型コロナウイルス感染症への対応について（高齢者の皆さまへ） ｜厚生労働省 · Original language: ja
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Facts from the sources
According to a report cited on the page, older adults and people with underlying diseases are at higher risk of becoming severely ill after infection. View source
The page points out that the novel coronavirus is generally transmitted through droplets and contact. View source
The page recommends washing hands frequently after returning home from going out, before and after cooking, and before eating. View source
The page recommends ventilating frequently and avoiding gatherings in poorly ventilated and crowded spaces. View source
The page recommends avoiding crowds and taking walks with one person or a small number of people, in order to maintain daily activities. View source
The page says that whether and how to resume community 'kayoi no ba' activities should be judged after confirming the local epidemic situation and consulting with a municipal public health nurse or infectious disease professional. View source
For older people and families
After older adults return home from going out, wash hands before touching things at home.
Remember to wash hands with soap or liquid soap before and after cooking and before eating.
Open windows at home every day for ventilation, so the air circulates.
Try not to go to crowded, poorly ventilated places, such as shopping malls and enclosed activity rooms.
When going out for a walk, it is best to be accompanied by one family member, and do not go to crowded places.
Older people with underlying conditions should avoid infection even more; when going out, wear a mask properly and maintain distance.
If community activities have resumed, first ask about the venue's ventilation and how many people will be there, then decide whether to go.
Do not keep older people shut in at home all the time because of fear of infection; choose times when there are fewer people to go out for a walk.
See what care and community teams can do
Before communities or facilities resume group activities for older adults, they should confirm the local epidemic situation and consult a municipal public health nurse or infectious disease professional before deciding.
Activity venues should ensure good ventilation, control the number of participants, and avoid crowding and close contact.
Set up hand-washing facilities and remind participants to wash hands before and after the activity and before eating.
For older participants and those with underlying diseases, infection risk should be assessed individually; if necessary, advise them to postpone participation.
Organizations can develop ventilation operation guidelines, specifying frequency and the persons responsible, but specific parameters should be verified by professional ventilation or hygiene personnel.
All protective measures should follow the current guidance of local health authorities in China; overseas experience is for reference only.
What needs local assessment
The above content is compiled from Japanese epidemic-prevention materials for Japan's older adult population. It is for daily-life reference only and does not constitute epidemic-prevention policy or medical advice in China. The Japanese recommendations do not specify ventilation frequency or risk figures; individual situations vary. For community activity arrangements in China, please follow local regulations, and you may consult community health service centers or disease-control personnel. Older people's exercise methods, choice of hand-washing products, and assessment of resuming activities should be based on the older person's own physical condition; when necessary, ask a doctor or professional for guidance. Source: Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (see original link). This site compiled and translated the content from the original facts; it is not a translation produced, approved, or published by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Japan's system is not equivalent to China's system.
Sources
Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and WelfareWas this article helpful?
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