A new mutant virus "Omicron strain" of the new corona confirmed in South Africa.
It has been confirmed in 12 countries and regions as of 4 pm on the 29th.
Prime Minister Kishida has announced that from midnight on the 30th, new foreigners for business purposes will be suspended from entering the country in principle, targeting all countries and regions of the world. bottom.
Haneda Airport The appearance of immigrants from Africa ...
Regarding new entry of foreigners, the government will ease short-term residents for business purposes, international students, technical intern trainees, etc. from the 8th of this month.
I had resumed entry, but it was stopped again in just three weeks.
On the 29th, when I spoke to a male office worker who returned from Côte d'Ivoire in West Africa at Haneda Airport, he said, "I didn't know that foreigners would be suspended from entering Japan tomorrow. I'm glad I came to Japan. "
Proceed with analysis to see if immigrants from Namibia are positive Omicron strains
Under these circumstances, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Goto entered the country on the evening of the 28th from Namibia in southern Africa, which is strengthening border measures, after noon on the 29th, and a man in his 30s who was inspected by the quarantine at Narita Airport was infected with the new coronavirus. I made it clear that I was doing it.
The National Institute of Infectious Diseases will promptly proceed with genome analysis to determine whether the virus is an Omicron strain.
In addition, a total of three family members who accompanied the man stayed in a facility designated by the government, and the man had symptoms of fever, while the two family members were negative as a result of the test. It means that.
Minister Goto said, "We will continue to carry out genome analysis of all samples that have become positive in quarantine, and we request that local government-led genome analysis be carried out by maximizing the current testing capabilities. We will strengthen our inspection system. "
Foreigners will be suspended from midnight on the 30th.
Given the spread of the Omicron strain, the government held a meeting of relevant ministers at the Prime Minister's Office on the afternoon of the 29th to discuss the response.
After this, Prime Minister Kishida told reporters, "Although experts are still in the process of analyzing the virulence and infectivity of Omicron strains worldwide, WHO = World Health Organization is concerned. It was designated as a mutant strain. "
After that, he said, "As an emergency evacuation precautionary measure to avoid the worst situation in Japan, first of all, foreigners are prohibited from entering the country from midnight on November 30th, all over the world", midnight on 30th. Has announced a policy to suspend new entry of foreigners for business purposes in principle to all countries and regions of the world.
Furthermore, "For Japanese, etc., when returning from 14 countries / regions where infection has been confirmed in addition to 9 countries such as South Africa, strict quarantine measures will be implemented at designated facilities according to the risk." "These measures are extraordinary measures just in case, until some information about the Omicron strain is revealed," he explained.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Kishida said, "Japan has the highest vaccination rate among the G7 and the youngest day since the second vaccination. The world praises the people's cooperation for self-restraint, including wearing masks. We recognize that the risk resistance of Omicron strains is stronger than that of other countries. We would like to call on the people to calmly respond. "
He said, "I am running the administration thinking that I should be cautious and cautious about unknown risks. I will take all the criticism that I am too cautious even though I do not understand the situation yet. I would like to ask the people for their understanding. "
[Details] Government measures at the water's edge
▽ Regarding new entry of foreigners, in principle, it will be suspended for "one month for the time being" from midnight on the 30th for all countries and regions of the world, including business purposes that have been permitted so far. increase.
As a result, foreigners who can newly enter Japan in the future are limited to those who need humanitarian consideration, and government officials said, "It is a de facto total ban on entry assuming the worst situation. I'm talking.
▽ In addition, measures will be strengthened for Japanese returnees from those who enter Japan from the 1st of next month.
Specifically, for Japanese returnees, the period required to wait at home after entering Japan was shortened to 3 days at the shortest, subject to vaccination from the beginning of this month, but again, 14 It will be extended to days.
Furthermore, based on the infection situation, returnees from some countries and regions will take a stronger measure of "staying" to stay at accommodation facilities around the airport designated by the quarantine station for a certain period of time after entering the country. increase.
Of these, 10 countries in southern Africa, such as South Africa, where the Omicron strain was first confirmed, and the surrounding areas such as Zimbabwe and Angola, are required to "stay" for 10 days.
In addition, 7 countries such as Israel, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands are required to "stay" for 6 days, and 27 countries and regions such as Australia, Germany, Denmark and Hong Kong for 3 days.
As a result of these measures, the maximum number of immigrants, which had been relaxed to 5,000 per day from the 26th of this month, will be reduced to about 3,500 again from the 1st of next month.
In addition to these border measures, the government will do its utmost to prevent the spread of infection in Japan by following up on the health status of returnees and expanding the monitoring system for Omicron strains.
Omicron strain is a “variant of concern” WHO and Infection Research Institute
WHO designated the new mutant virus confirmed in South Africa as "VOC = Variant of Concern" on the 26th of this month and named it "Omicron strain".
As of 27th of this month, no infected person has been found in Japan, but the National Institute of Infectious Diseases has positioned it as a "VOC" in Japan based on overseas information about the virus.
So far, WHO has designated four mutant strains as "VOC": alpha strain, beta strain, gamma strain, and delta strain.
Of these, alpha and delta strains were also prevalent in Japan, but beta and gamma strains were rarely prevalent.
What is Omicron strain?
How much do you know about the Omicron strain?
According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, the Omicron strain has found 30 mutations, which is the most common mutant virus so far, in the protrusion-like part called "spiked protein" on the surface of the virus. It means that a part of the gene is deleted.
"Spiked protein" is the part that binds first when it enters human cells, and is marked by the antibody produced by the vaccine.
Expert "May be more infectious than Delta strains"
We asked Professor Tetsuya Matsumoto of the International University of Health and Welfare, who is familiar with infectious disease control, about the Omicron strain at this point.
Professor Matsumoto said, "There is a possibility that the structure and properties have changed considerably compared to the conventional mutant strain. There is concern that people who have been infected so far will be infected again and the effectiveness of the vaccine will be reduced. I pointed out.
He added, "If you look at the spread of the infection in South Africa, it has spread to push the Delta strain away, and in some cases it may be more infectious than the Delta strain."
Regarding the risk of aggravation, Professor Matsumoto says, "We do not know at this point because we have not yet clearly obtained data such as how severe the infected person is."
3rd vaccination expert "It is important to proceed with vaccination"
Regarding the government's policy of suspending new entry of foreigners for business purposes from midnight on the 30th, Professor Matsumoto said, "It is effective as a border measure. The timing is The sooner it is, the better. First, grasp the situation, and if you don't have to worry so much, you can alleviate it. At first, you should take strict measures. "
In addition, regarding the third vaccination for medical professionals scheduled to start in Japan from the 1st of next month, "It may seem unclear how effective it is for Omicron strains, but there is still something that can be done at this point. It's about using means to increase resistance. It's important to proceed with the scheduled vaccination. "
Professor Matsumoto said, "If you continue to be nervous, you will not be able to do it in the next wave, so you need to be calm. To keep the current situation, continue basic infection control measures such as wearing a mask and ventilation. It's important to keep going. "
Infection Research Institute "Thorough implementation of basic infection prevention measures is recommended"
Regarding the Omicron strain, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases is strongly concerned about the increased infectivity, the significant decrease in the effectiveness of the vaccine, and the increased risk of reinfection.
However, since there is no experimental data and epidemiological information is not sufficient so far, we will pay close attention to the effects on infectivity by age group, the severity of symptoms, and the effects of vaccines in actual society. I said I needed to do it.
On top of that, as a basic personal infection prevention measure, it is recommended to avoid three crowds as before, to wear a mask especially during conversation, and to thoroughly wash hands.
Confirmation of Omicron strain infection in 12 countries and regions
Omicron strains have been confirmed in 12 countries and regions when NHK compiled them as of 4 pm on the 29th.
▽ South Africa, Botswana in Africa
▽ United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark in Europe
▽ Israel in the Middle East
▽ Hong Kong in Asia
▽ Australia in Oceania
▽ Canada in North America.
President of South Africa "Mutant is more remarkable than any mutant strain so far"
South African President Lamaposa made a speech on television after holding a countermeasures meeting on the 28th following the spread of the Omicron strain in the country.
In this, President Lamaposa pointed out that "the mutation is more remarkable than any other mutant strain so far", although it is often unknown about the Omicron strain, and the number of new infections per day in the past week is earlier. He expressed a sense of crisis as it has more than tripled compared to the week of.
After encouraging the public not to panic, those who have completed at least one vaccination are encouraged to do so, saying that only 41% of adults are vaccinated, and wearing masks in public places. , Called for thorough infection control measures such as refraining from events where many people gather.
US President Joe Biden talks with a team of experts
The White House has not announced an infection confirmation in the United States, but the White House said on the 28th that President Biden had consulted with a team of experts such as Dr. Fauci, who is the chief medical adviser, over the response to the Omicron stock.
President Biden has been informed that although it will take two weeks to obtain detailed analysis results, existing vaccines may prevent aggravation to some extent.
The US government has announced restrictions on travel from eight countries in southern Africa, including South Africa.
In addition, President Biden is becoming more cautious as he plans to announce the latest situation and response on the 29th.
Strengthening measures in South Korea, North Korea, Singapore, and India
オミクロン株への警戒は、各国で強まっています。
▽韓国政府は29日、対策会議を開き、ワクチンの接種をさらに進める方針を確認しました。具体的には来月上旬から追加接種の対象を、接種完了から5か月たった18歳以上に拡大するほか、追加の接種を促すため、いわゆる「ワクチンパスポート」に接種完了から6か月間の有効期限を設けるとしています。
会議に出席したムン・ジェイン大統領（文在寅）は「今までとは次元が違う重大な局面を迎えている」と危機感を示し、5歳から11歳の接種や軽症者用飲み薬の年内の供給開始についても検討するよう指示しました。
▽北朝鮮国営の朝鮮中央通信は29日、オミクロン株について「深刻な憂慮を引き起こしている。より危険で致命的なウイルスだ」と伝え、強い警戒感をあらわにしました。
北朝鮮では、去年の1月末から続く国境の封鎖措置や、経済制裁によって物資が不足しているとされ、韓国の情報機関は、輸入の再開に向けて、中国とを結ぶ貨物列車の運行が今月再開される可能性があるという見方を示していました。
しかし、新たな変異ウイルスの影響で、韓国メディアは北朝鮮が封鎖措置の緩和を遅らせる可能性があると伝えていて、韓国統一省のイ・ジョンジュ報道官は29日の会見で「措置の緩和は、国境地域の防疫施設の整備状況や感染拡大の動向などを総合的に考慮して決まるものだ。今後の動向を綿密に注視していく」と述べています。
▽ The Singaporean government has banned entry from seven countries including South Africa on the 26th.
Furthermore, on the 28th, the measures to allow people who have been vaccinated to enter the country without quarantine will be put into operation with Saudi Arabia in the Middle East, UAE = United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, which were scheduled from 6th next month. Announced that it will be postponed.
In addition, it is the first time in about 1 year and 8 months for people who have completed vaccination from the 29th on the land route to neighboring Malaysia, where more than 300,000 people traveled a day before the spread of the new corona infection. However, the Singaporean government hastily decided to carry out an antigen test on all immigrants.
▽ The Government of India revised the guidelines for travelers entering from abroad on the 28th.
According to this, as of the 26th of this month, people traveling from European countries such as the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, and 12 countries and regions such as China will be targeted for quarantine enhancement.
These people are required to undergo PCR tests not only before departure but also after arrival, stay at the airport until a negative result is confirmed, and then quarantine at home for 7 days.
This guideline will be introduced from the 1st of next month.
To postpone the resumption of entry of Australian Japanese
Australia has banned foreigners from entering the country since March last year, but from the 1st of next month, we will provide vaccination proofs, negative PCR test proofs, and valid visas for immigrants from Japan and South Korea. If you have one, you will be allowed to enter the country, and the tourism and study abroad industries have welcomed you.
However, on the 29th, the Australian Government announced that it would postpone the start of this deregulation until the 15th of next month.
The government said in a statement "to collect information about the Omicron strain, such as the effects and symptoms of the vaccine."
To contain Omicron shares To hold G7 Health Ministers' Meeting
Under these circumstances, the seven major G7 countries will hold an urgent health ministers' meeting on the 29th to discuss measures to contain the infection of "Omicron strains" centered on the chair country, the United Kingdom.