With the cancellation of the state of emergency, the government changed the basic countermeasures against the new coronavirus, and in areas where priority measures such as prevention of spread have been made, alcoholic beverages will be served at restaurants that meet certain requirements 7 pm While it has been possible until time, it includes a policy that allows it to be restricted at the discretion of the governor according to the infection situation in the area.
In response to this, each governor is proceeding with consideration, but while some regions allow the provision of alcoholic beverages, there are also voices saying that there is no way to make a decision.
Government "Further restrictions at the governor's discretion"
In the proposed change of the basic countermeasure policy for new coronavirus countermeasures changed by the government, infection control countermeasures will be gradually mitigated even in areas where the state of emergency is lifted, and the necessary countermeasures will be "stage 2 equivalent" or less. Will continue until.
In addition, we will continue to request restaurants in areas to which priority measures such as spread prevention are applied to shorten business hours by 8:00 pm, and we will be able to provide alcoholic beverages until 7:00 pm at restaurants that meet certain requirements. is.
On the other hand, it is possible to request that stores that do not meet the requirements not be provided with alcoholic beverages, and that it can be further restricted at the governor's discretion depending on the infection situation in the area, and to maintain fairness with the stores that are responding to the request. We request that we take appropriate measures such as orders and fines based on the Special Measures Law so that we can do so.
In addition, the prefectural system will be strengthened in order to promptly provide cooperation money to businesses in response to requests for shortening business hours.
In addition, the government is considering using a QR code so that it can be tracked when it comes into contact with an infected person at a restaurant or the like.
Governor Yoshimura of Osaka "There is no way to judge"
If the government cancels the state of emergency in Osaka and decides to shift to priority measures such as prevention of spread, Governor Yoshimura of Osaka Prefecture will immediately hold a meeting of the prefectural countermeasures headquarters and go to a restaurant that serves alcoholic beverages. I was thinking of deciding what to do after the 21st of this month, such as handling requests for leave of absence, but the prefecture decided to forgo the event on the 17th and hold a meeting on the 18th.
Regarding this, at a press conference, "I was planning to hold a meeting this evening, but there are places where the contents of the national basic coping policy are not clear due to the handling of restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages. To be honest, there isn't one. "
On top of that, "I think it is a good idea to allow alcohol to be served at stores that have thorough infection control measures. On the other hand, I also think that the infection should not be spread again. I will make the final decision as the governor. "
The prefecture hastened to consider measures for restaurants, etc., and will formally decide the policy at the countermeasures headquarters meeting on the 18th.
Governor Nishiwaki, Kyoto Prefecture No detailed conditions have been presented yet
Governor Nishiwaki of Kyoto Prefecture has made it clear that he is considering the target area mainly in Kyoto City, and then requests restaurants in the area to shorten the working hours by 8:00 pm. I showed the idea that I wanted to.
Regarding the state of emergency issued in Kyoto, the government has decided to cancel it by the deadline of 20th of this month and shift to priority measures such as prevention of spread until 11th of next month.
In response to this, Governor Nishiwaki of Kyoto Prefecture told reporters on the evening of the 17th, "The number of infected people has not fallen below the so-called" third wave ", and a mutant virus spreading in India has also been detected. I want to take effective measures in line with the policy. "
After clarifying that the target areas for priority measures are being considered mainly in Kyoto City, the basic line is to request restaurants in the area to shorten the working hours by 8:00 pm. I showed my thoughts.
On the other hand, regarding the provision of alcoholic beverages, he said that the government had not yet provided detailed conditions, and expressed his intention to urgently consider it.
Regarding the response to restaurants outside the target areas of the priority measures, he said, "Some measures are necessary to prevent infection, and we would like to consider how long and how long the measures will be continued."
Kyoto Prefecture has decided to hold a meeting of the countermeasures headquarters, which has been postponed on the 17th, on the afternoon of the 18th to decide on new measures.
Measures to allow the provision of alcoholic beverages in Fukuoka Prefecture
Fukuoka Prefecture held a meeting of the countermeasures headquarters on the 17th, and decided on new measures to be requested from the citizens of the prefecture and businesses from the 21st next week.
Specifically, we will apply priority measures to Fukuoka City, Kitakyushu City, and Kurume City, which have many restaurants.
And while the three cities do not request restaurants to be closed, they do request that business hours continue to be shortened to 8:00 pm.
On the other hand, we are thoroughly implementing infection control measures, and restaurants that have been issued an "infection control declaration sticker" by the prefecture will be allowed to serve alcoholic beverages until 7:00 pm.
We request restaurants outside the three cities to be open by 9 pm and to serve alcoholic beverages by 8 pm.
The three cities also request large facilities, such as department stores, to reduce their business hours to 8:00 pm.
On the other hand, the citizens of the prefecture are urged to continue refraining from going out unnecessarily and refraining from moving across prefectural borders.
Even in Aichi prefecture
Governor Omura of Aichi Prefecture explained at the prefectural assembly on the 17th the infection control measures to be taken in the prefecture when shifting to priority measures.
According to this, restaurants in the target areas of the priority measures will be requested to continue shortening business hours by 8:00 pm, while allowing alcoholic beverages that are currently seeking self-restraint to be served until 7:00 pm I showed my thoughts.
In addition, it is requesting restaurants in the prefecture outside the target areas of the priority measures to shorten their business hours to 9:00 pm.
Aichi Prefecture will officially decide on the 18th about the contents of these measures and the target areas of priority measures.
"Oshibori" suppliers Increase production
In response to the cancellation of the state of emergency in Tokyo and other areas, and the policy of shifting to priority measures such as prevention of spread, manufacturers that deliver cloth towels to restaurants in Tokyo and other areas are increasing their production volume. I will.
However, I am concerned that sales may not return much depending on the status of alcoholic beverages.
A company with about 40 employees in Ota Ward, Tokyo, which supplies cloth towels to about 1,200 restaurants in Tokyo's 23 wards and Kanagawa Prefecture, expects to reopen restaurants that are closed. We have increased production by 30% from the 15th.
On the 17th, we were preparing for delivery by sorting out the hand towels sent from our factory and receiving a phone call from a restaurant.
Sales of "Oshibori" have fallen to about 30%, so we are expecting a recovery in sales, but the government's policy includes that it is possible to limit the provision of alcoholic beverages at the governor's discretion. There is also a concern that sales will not return much because the future is uncertain.
Heijiro Koizumi, president of Komeisha, said, "Although we made preparations for the previous re-extension, it was difficult for customers to cancel one after another, so I would like to make sure to the last minute. However, we will provide alcoholic beverages. I'm worried because I don't know what will happen. "