Returning to Work or School After an Infection

Check your workplace or school requirements

There is no single return-to-work date that applies to every workplace. Consider your condition, the possibility of passing the infection to others, workplace rules and the people you work with. Schools have exclusion periods under Japan's school health rules.

Healthcare, care work, childcare and food handling may have stricter requirements. Contact your workplace before returning.

Recovery and school exclusion periods

• Common cold: consider returning after the fever has settled without fever-reducing medicine, you can eat and drink, and your general condition has improved. Take care with masks and cough etiquette while coughing or sneezing continues.
• Influenza at school: remain absent until 5 days have passed since symptoms began and 2 days have passed since the fever resolved; for preschool children, the fever-free period is 3 days.
• COVID-19 at school: remain absent until 5 days have passed since symptoms began and 1 day has passed since symptoms improved.
• Infectious gastroenteritis: check that vomiting and diarrhea have settled, normal meals are possible and your general condition is good. Continue washing hands with soap and running water. Food handlers should follow their workplace hygiene rules.

Certificates and negative test results

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare advises that recovery or negative-test certificates do not need to be routinely required when returning after influenza or an acute respiratory infection.

A negative test alone does not determine whether you can return. Symptoms, the course of the illness and workplace or school rules also matter.

If a specific form is required, bring it with your medical information. Depending on your condition and the timing of the consultation, it may not be possible to issue a certificate immediately.

Information to bring to your consultation

• The diagnosis and the day symptoms began
• When you last had a fever and which symptoms remain
• The people you have contact with at work or school
• Any forms specified by your workplace or school