The government's subcommittee on measures against the new coronavirus has minimized the restrictions on rights regarding the revision of the Special Measures Law and the Infectious Diseases Law to strengthen the measures, and provided the information necessary for the government to take measures against infection. We have put together a recommendation to consider a mechanism that can instruct local governments to provide data so that it can be obtained promptly.
A subcommittee of the government held a roundabout meeting on the 15th to make recommendations on legislative changes to strengthen measures against the new coronavirus.
The recommendations emphasize that restrictions on freedom and rights must be minimal and adhere to the basic principles of avoiding discrimination and prejudice.
On top of that, regarding the Special Measures Law, the roles should be clarified, such as giving authority to each prefecture for regional measures and national authority for national measures, and the governor of each prefecture should be a business operator such as a restaurant. It is important to hold discussions that are convincing to the public and to reach a conclusion as soon as possible on measures to ensure the effectiveness of the request.
In addition, regarding the Infectious Diseases Control Law, consider a mechanism that can instruct local governments to provide data so that the national government can promptly obtain the information necessary for infection control and publish the analysis results, and adjust hospitalization. It is necessary to clarify legally what the prefectures do.
In addition, it is necessary to verify countermeasures after the infection with the new coronavirus has subsided over the medium to long term, and to further revise the Special Measures Law.