Garden Necklace Yokohama 2021 Is Underway! Details on P.3 Yamashita Park Mixed Bulbs Flowerbed (2020 show) Contact for COVID-19 in the City of Yokohama Open 24-hours Yokohama City COVID-19 Call Center (Consultation Center for returnees from abroad and individuals in contact with infected persons) Tel: 045-550-5530 Fax: 045-846-0500 Inquiries regarding vaccinations Tel: 0120-045-070 (09:00~19:00 including Sat., Sun., holidays and days off) Fax: 050-3588-7191 ※Fax number for individuals with hearing problems. All events introduced in Koho Yokohama are held with new coronavirus countermeasures in place. When you participate in such events, please cooperate when asked by the event organizers to take new coronavirus countermeasures. COVID-19 information on Page 2 Ushering in the New Fiscal Year Thanks to the unremitting efforts of all our medical practitioners, citizens and business people, the number of new cases of COVID-19 being reported in Yokohama has fallen from the peak levels recorded last January. However, the rate of decline has been slowing since February, and new infections slightly increased in the first weeks of March. In order to prevent any future increases it is essential that we none of us let down our guard, and that we continue practicing our infection countermeasures on an “all Yokohama” footing. The City of Yokohama is pressing ahead with all our might with preparations for the launch of inoculations with the vaccines that will protect all of our lives for those 65 years old or older. In order to ensure that everyone receives their vaccinations smoothly and safely, we have been carrying out simulation exercises at group vaccination centers in each ward of the city since March to ensure a smooth flow from reception through vaccination as well as a post-vaccination observation period before leaving the center to ensure that no one has any adverse reactions. We will notify you all of the actual timing for the mailing of vaccination tickets and specific details on where and how to get vaccinated as soon as we have a clear timetable for when the vaccines will be delivered to the city. We have established a dedicated vaccine inoculation call center to respond to all your questions and address any fears or other concerns you may have about the vaccines and vaccination. Please do not hesitate to use this service. True spring has arrived at last, and the sakura cherry trees, the tulips and other flowers are all blossoming proudly across the city. Many of us are welcoming the arrival of this season when we take bold new steps forward in our lives. This year we are delighted to be holding Garden Necklace Yokohama 2021, beginning on March 27. Flowers and greenery have a power to heal our hearts and bring smiles to our faces. This year, as the event opens in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, we hope that the flowers and greenery garlanding our city will bring comfort and cheer to many people. In Fiscal 2021 the City of Yokohama will continue to make countermeasures against COVID-19 our very highest priority as we work to protect the lives and livelihoods of you all, the citizens of Yokohama. At the same time, we pledge to do everything in our power to bring energy and vitality back to the streets of our city and to drive forward our economic recovery. Let us all continue to maintain our vigilance against the virus, to avoid situations where the risk of infection is high, and to continue to practice thoroughly all of the basic infection countermeasures as we overcome these difficult times together. Hayashi Fumiko Mayor of Yokohama   All About COVID-19 Vaccinations Based on best information available as of March 15 We are moving forward with preparations to be ready and able to provide vaccinations in every part of the city, to be rolled out sequentially by age and need as directed by the national government. For the very latest information on vaccinations, please visit the City of Yokohama webpage and the webpage of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. 横浜市 新型コロナワクチン　　Search Current Steps Based on the Supply of Vaccines The amount of vaccine to be supplied to Yokohama in April is projected to be tiny compared to the total number of residents age 65 and older (approximately 930,000 residents) who are the next cohort to be vaccinated. The city of Yokohama is taking the following steps in response to this shortage. ● Vaccinations will begin with individuals living in old age homes and other facilities. ● Mass vaccinations and individual vaccinations for all people 65 years and older are expected to begin in May. ● We will mail individual notifications (including vaccination tickets) coordinated with the timing of the start of mass and individual vaccinations. Institutional vaccinations Mass vaccinations Individual vaccinations On-site vaccination of residents living in old-age homes and other institutions Vaccinations at dedicated sites established by the city Vaccinations at nearby hospitals, doctor offices, and other facilities ※The schedule for the mailing of individual notifications and vaccination tickets reported in the March edition of Koho Yokohama has been changed. We will notify you of the new and revised mailing schedule on the City of Yokohama webpage, in Koho Yokohama, and via other media as soon as it is confirmed. Running Vaccination Simulations In March the city carried out a simulated mass vaccination at the Tsurumi Ward Community Hall which is one of the designated vaccination site. Approximately 80 medical practitioners, local citizens, and City of Yokohama staff took part in the exercise, which tested the vaccination procedure itself as well as foreign language interpretation using tablet computers, assistance for individuals in wheelchairs, and other procedures. We will continue to implement these exercises to ensure the smooth rollout of vaccinations when the time comes. ▼Mayor Hayashi observes trial vaccination procedures (March 9) Answers to Your Frequently Asked Questions Q1 I have family members living in institutions. Will they be able to receive vaccinations on-site? A The institutions where institutional vaccinations (on-site vaccinations) will be carried out are institutions where elderly individuals and others with special needs live or have been institutionalized, including homes for elderly people requiring special care, health care facilities for elderly people requiring long-term care, fee-charging old people’s homes, and group homes for elderly dementia sufferers. Please check with the institutions directly to confirm if vaccinations have been scheduled. ※Even when an individual is institutionalized in a facility outside Yokohama, if they are legally a citizen of Yokohama they will still require the vaccination ticket mailed to them by the City of Yokohama. Q2 What kind of people require special attention when receiving the vaccination? A Generally speaking, people who require special attention when receiving the vaccine fall into following categories. If you think you belong to one of these categories, please consult with your regular doctor. ● People who have been diagnosed as having immunodeficiency in the past ● People who have close relatives with congenital immunodeficiency disease, and people who have underlying heart, kidney, and liver problems, a blood disorder, developmental problems, or other underlying disease. ● Individuals who have had symptoms believed to be allergic reactions after receiving vaccinations in the past, including fevers, rashes over their entire body, and other symptoms within two days of receiving a vaccination. ● Individuals who have had convulsions and/or similar symptoms in the past. In addition, as COVID-19 vaccinations are injected into muscle tissue, it is also necessary to watch out for excessive bleeding following vaccinations in individuals who are receiving anticoagulant therapy, as well as individuals with low platelet counts and/or coagulopathy (Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare data). COVID-19 Countermeasures as We Start Our New Lives April is the month when we welcome new faces to our schools and workplaces, local gatherings and other events. We ask that you all reacquaint yourselves with the key basic measures for preventing infections during this special time of the year. “Situations” Requiring Special Care Conversation and dining without masks ● At this time of year there are increased opportunities for lunch gatherings and welcome parties, introductions, and other events, and it is easy to fall into talking with others without your mask on. Please make sure to keep your mask on at all times except when eating and drinking, and even then to cover your mouth with a towel or other covering whenever you cough or sneeze. ● Please be sure to avoid sharing plates and other utensils or divvying up food on large platters, and to cover up any food that is left out on the table without being eaten immediately. Group living in confined spaces, new work environments ● Your risk of infection will be higher because you will be sharing closed spaces for extended periods of time ● Please be especially careful when using shared spaces like lavatories and break rooms ● Let us all be careful to always wear masks, ensure there is adequate ventilation, and carefully wipe down or disinfect any spots that lots of people touch, including light switches, telephone pushbuttons and receivers, shared computer keyboards, faucets, and more. Please visit the special City of Yokohama website page for COVID-19 information 横浜市 新型コロナ 特設　　Search Do Not Let Fear Fuel Discrimination We all want to protect ourselves and those dear to us from infection. However, that powerful desire can sometimes lead, without our even being aware of it, to language and behavior that can be hurtful to people infected with COVID-19, their families, medical workers and others. We ask that you not let yourself be overwhelmed with the anxiety that can come from too many fears and preconceptions, and instead act calmly and rationally based on accurate knowledge and information. Human rights awareness poster produced in cooperation with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars▼ Kanagawa Prefecture Medical Reservation Center to Close The Kanagawa Prefecture Medical Reservation Center, established by Kanagawa Prefecture to assist individuals who were experiencing symptoms such as fever, coughing, or sore throats and did not have a regular doctor to go to for a checkup has now been closed effective March 31, 2021. Going forward, please contact the Yokohama City COVID-19 Call Center listed on the front page of this newsletter for advice and introductions.   Yokohama Is Overflowing with Flowers and Greenery Again This Year Garden Necklace Yokohama 2021 March 27 (Saturday) - June 13 (Sunday) This year’s Garden Necklace event is being held with COVID-19 countermeasures in place. Please wear a mask when visiting the event sites, and cooperate with other COVID-19 measures. In addition, we will be streaming scenes and events from Garden Necklace on the City of Yokohama’s official YouTube channel. If you prefer, please enjoy a Yokohama overflowing with flowers and greenery in your own home. ※Some Garden Necklace events may have to be cancelled or held on a reduced scale or for a shorter time than originally scheduled depending on the impact of COVID-19. “Garden Bear,” Yokohama’s flower and greenery mascot character ©ITOON/GN Garden Necklace Yokohama official YouTube channel ガーデンネックレス横浜 Search NEW Garden Necklace Yokohama Information Center A Garden Necklace Yokohama Information Center will be open at the REST HOUSE building in Yamashita Park from April 1 (Thurs.) through May 23 (Sun.) (dates provisional) to direct you to the best places for flower viewing and provide other information. The center will also have Garden Bear mascot goods and other items available for sale. Information center (image) Plants and Flowers Digital Stamp Rally This year enjoy a “no-touch” stamp rally using your smartphone. When you visit all six Garden Bear Photo Spots you can receive free Garden Bear merchandise at the Information Center in Yamashita Park (first come, first served). Main Highlights ※Photographs are from last year’s event or are image photographs Spring Satoyama Garden Fest Location: Kami-shirane-cho 1425-4, Asahi Ward, next to the “Zoorasia” Yokohama Zoological Gardens 【Duration】March 27 (Sat.) - May 9 (Sun.) 09:30 - 16:30 【Admission】Free At the 10,000m2 large flowerbed, the largest in Yokohama, you can enjoy such distinctively spring pastel flowers as pansies and viola, tulips and nemophila together with the fresh greens of a traditional satoyama country landscape. ※The annual mini concerts, bird show PR, and workshops held in tents during the festival will not be held this year. ※Depending on crowding, traffic on the path through Satoyama Garden’s large flowerbed may be one-way only or subject to other restrictions ※The closest parking is the north gate parking lot at the “Zoorasia” Yokohama Zoological Gardens adjacent to Satoyama Garden. However, the lot is extremely congested on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Please cooperate by visiting the festival on weekdays or using public transportation. Large flowerbed Best Flower Viewing in the Minato Area (Bayside Area) Locations: Yokohama Park, Nihon Odori Avenue, Yamashita Park, Shinko Central Plaza The Port of Yokohama area is the place to enjoy the seasonal relay of cherry blossoms, tulips, and roses together with harbor views. In April we especially recommend the tulips. Beginning with the 120,000 tulip bulbs in Yokohama Park, a mix of tulip, hyacinth, crocus and other bulbs have also been planted in Yamashita Park, letting you enjoy a different vista every time you visit. In the Minato-mirai district, we especially recommend the Shinko Central Plaza where a mix of tulips and other flowering plants have been planted against the backdrop of the historic Red Brick Warehouse. Yokohama Park Shinko Central Plaza The Best Spots Around the City 【Period】The best viewing time is different in every ward, so please enquire in advance There will be different Garden Necklace Yokohama-related events and flowerbeds in all 18 city wards, linking the city together like a necklace of flowers and greenery. 【Inquiries】NTT Hello Dial Tel: 050-5548-8686 (Through June 14, 09:00 – 20:00) Fax: 045-224-6627