16:05 on April 2 to strengthen measures against infectious diseases at evacuation shelters in the event of a disaster

If a disaster occurs while the infection of the new coronavirus is expanding, it is feared that people will be forced to live in a shelter as a group. In order to prevent further spread of the infection, the government notified prefectures and others to strengthen measures, such as using hotels and other accommodation facilities as shelters.

Following the spread of the new coronavirus, the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, etc., issued a notification to prefectures in response to the spread of the new coronavirus, calling for measures to prevent a large number of people from crowding in evacuation centers in the event of a disaster caused by an earthquake or heavy rain. I am.

The main contents are to consider evacuation shelters that can be used in places other than those designated as evacuation shelters in advance, and to make adjustments so that accommodation such as hotels and inns can be used as shelters. I want to ask.

In addition, when operating evacuation shelters, it is required that thorough measures such as hand washing, gargle, and wearing of masks be carried out, and that shelters be ventilated regularly and that sufficient space be kept away from crowded people.

On the other hand, masks and alcohol disinfectants are scarce nationwide and stockpiling by local governments is difficult, so the government will provide necessary supplies as much as possible.

The Cabinet Office says, "With the spread of the new coronavirus, the time of heavy rains and typhoons is approaching, so we want local governments to take precautionary measures."

Even in past disasters

Even in past disasters, there have been cases in which evacuation shelters have caused a series of infectious disease patients.

In the Great East Japan Earthquake nine years ago, dozens of influenza patients appeared in evacuation centers in Iwate Prefecture, and even in the Kumamoto earthquake four years ago, norovirus and influenza patients were found mainly in evacuation centers in Minami-Aso Village. It was confirmed one after another.

Heavy rain fell on Hokkaido on the 11th of last month, evacuation orders were issued to about 2,300 residents in Shibecha, and some residents were evacuated to evacuation centers.

At the evacuation shelter, as a measure against infectious diseases such as the new coronavirus, a disinfectant solution was placed at the entrance, or tape was stuck on a mat laid on the floor to separate the space per person so that evacuees were not too close. about it.

With heavy floods rushing nationwide, such as heavy rains in western Japan and typhoon No. 19 last year, the time of heavy rains is approaching, and measures to control infectious diseases at evacuation centers have become an urgent issue.