Regarding the state of emergency declaration of 10 prefectures, which is due on the 20th of this month, the government is considering canceling the areas where the infection situation is improving.
It is believed that Prime Minister Suga discussed the response with the relevant ministers, including the Minister for Economic Revitalization Nishimura, from around 6 pm on the 16th, and considered the specific treatment of the declaration.
The state of emergency issued to 10 prefectures such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Aichi is due on the 20th of this month, and the government will lift the declaration in areas where the infection situation is improving, and focus on preventing spread. We are also considering moving to measures.
Prime Minister Suga discussed the response with related ministers such as Minister for Economic Revitalization Nishimura and Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Tamura at the Prime Minister's Office from around 6 pm on the 16th.
In this, in addition to the specific treatment of the declaration, it seems that the treatment of priority measures applied to five prefectures such as Saitama and Gifu was also considered.
Once the policy is finalized, it will be officially decided by the Countermeasures Headquarters on the 17th after consulting with the "Basic Coping Policy Subcommittee" created by experts on infectious diseases.
Declaration cancellation shift to spread prevention measures
The first point is to decide whether to cancel the state of emergency.
Within the government, many of the 10 prefectures have improved infections and beds, and are considering lifting the declaration in these areas.
On the other hand, in Okinawa, many of the indicators such as the medical care provision system are in the most serious "stage 4", so we will carefully consider whether it can be canceled.
In addition, even if the declaration is lifted, the government will consider shifting to priority measures such as prevention of spread in order to prevent the rapid spread of infection.
There is an opinion from within the government that the period will be about 3 weeks to 1 month when shifting to priority measures.
Relaxation of requests to restaurants Policy to carry out in stages
Measures for restaurants focus on serving alcohol and handling business hours.
Currently, in the areas covered by the declaration, restaurants that serve alcohol and karaoke are required to be closed.
In addition, in areas where priority measures are applied, restaurants are requested to shorten business hours until 8:00 pm, and depending on the infection situation, it is possible to request that the governor decide not to serve alcohol. It has become.
However, the government has a policy of gradually easing requests to restaurants, saying that eating and drinking with alcohol has a high risk of infection even if the declaration and priority measures are lifted.
There are discussions about allowing sake to be served for a limited time and extending business hours in stages.
On the other hand, it has a large impact on the management of restaurants, etc., and we are considering how strong the request will be.