Consider applying "priority measures such as spread prevention" to the government Okinawa, Yamaguchi, and Hiroshima

Following the rapid spread of the new coronavirus, the government has begun to consider applying priority measures such as prevention of spread to the three prefectures of Okinawa, Yamaguchi, and Hiroshima.

Prime Minister Kishida will discuss the response with the relevant ministers on the 6th, and if the policy is finalized, it will be officially decided on the 7th.

The number of newly infected people of the new corona exceeded 600 in Okinawa Prefecture for the first time in about 4 months on the 5th, and in Tokyo it has increased rapidly to 390, which is nearly four times the number two days ago. In Japan, the number has exceeded 2000 since September 26, last year.

The government is considering applying priority measures to Okinawa Prefecture, considering that Okinawa Prefecture, whose infection situation is rapidly deteriorating, is coordinating to request the government to apply "priority measures such as spread prevention". Is proceeding.

In addition, in response to the situation where the infection is spreading rapidly mainly in Iwakuni City in the eastern part of Yamaguchi Prefecture, where the U.S. military Iwakuni base has been announced one after another, Yamaguchi Prefecture and neighboring Hiroshima Prefecture requested it. If so, we have begun to consider whether to apply the priority measures.

If the priority measures are applied, it will be the first time in the Kishida Cabinet since the priority measures of eight prefectures such as Miyagi and Kumamoto were lifted on September 30th last year.

Prime Minister Kishida will discuss the response with related ministers such as Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Goto and Minister for Countermeasures for the New Coronavirus Yamagiwa on the 6th, and if the government policy is finalized, it will be made by experts on infectious diseases on the 7th. After consulting with the Policy Subcommittee, the Countermeasures Headquarters will formally decide.

In areas where priority measures are applied, the governor will request restaurants to shorten their business hours, and the corresponding stores will be paid a cooperation fee.

The government will continue to carefully determine whether it is necessary to apply priority measures to local governments other than the three prefectures, such as Tokyo, based on the infection situation and the intentions of the local governments.