The government's new Corona Countermeasures Subcommittee discussed the conditions for canceling the "Priority Measures to Prevent Spread", which is due on the 21st of this month.
The government has shown a new way of thinking to ease the conditions, such as the fact that even if the number of newly infected people is slightly increasing or staying high, it can be canceled if the bed usage rate is expected to decrease, and experts generally agree. Is issued.
At the meeting held on the 11th, the government presented a new way of thinking about the conditions for lifting the priority measures applied in 18 prefectures.
When deciding to cancel the priority measures, it was previously stated that "the number of newly infected people is decreasing and the burden on medical care is decreasing", but the new way of thinking is that the burden on socioeconomics is large. ,
▽ When the number of newly infected people tends to increase slightly or remains high, the bed usage rate is expected to decrease and the burden on medical care is expected to decrease, or the
bed usage rate or severe bed usage rate exceeds 50%. However, if the number of newly infected people is declining and the burden on medical care is expected to decrease in the future, it can be canceled.
In addition, regarding the limit on the number of large-scale events, the maximum number of people in the target area of the priority measures has been set to 20,000, but if the infection control plan is formulated and the person does not make a loud voice, the capacity can be accommodated. Was also shown.
According to the Cabinet Secretariat, the experts have generally agreed with the opinion, and the government's basic coping policy subcommittee will decide whether to cancel the priority measures based on a new way of thinking in the future. It is to be discussed in.
Chairman Omi "Sufficiently consider the negative impact of measures"
Shigeru Omi, chairman of the government's subcommittee, said, "The negative impact of the measures is fully taken into consideration, such as the large impact of behavioral restrictions on society, especially the limited learning opportunities of children and the psychological impact. There was a common understanding among experts that it was necessary. Furthermore, the rate of the third vaccination exceeded 60% for the elderly, and it has reached a level where it can be prevented from becoming severely severe. It's time to take measures while moving economic activities little by little. "
Opinion requesting flexible judgment from experts
Fumio Ohtake, a specially appointed professor of behavioral economics at Osaka University, who is a member of the subcommittee, gave a written opinion at the meeting on the 11th, calling for a flexible decision on measures for Omicron strains, including socio-economic perspectives. I submitted it.
Among them, Omicron strain pointed out the need to review the medical care provision system, saying that it has become clear that young people without underlying diseases have a low risk of aggravation, and also focused on measures for restaurants. Regarding the "priority measures such as prevention of spread", he pointed out that it is necessary to make a judgment considering the financial impact, saying that the effect will be weak after the spread of the infection.
In addition, for elderly people with a high risk of aggravation and people with underlying diseases, promotion of the third vaccination, establishment of an early treatment system, and restriction of behavior by people with a high risk of aggravation to prevent infection. I said that I needed something.
Regarding the written opinion, Professor Otake said, "We should determine whether the virus is a mutant virus with a high risk of aggravation and take appropriate measures. Make decisions by visualizing the socio-economic costs of regulations such as behavioral restrictions. I need to. "
Utilizing vaccinations and tests Government concept approval
At the government's new corona countermeasures subcommittee held on the 11th, the government summarized the idea of how to utilize the vaccination history and the negative confirmation by the test in order to continue social and economic activities while taking measures against infection. Shown and acknowledged.
According to the idea compiled by the government, it is recommended to confirm the vaccination history and negative confirmation, such as eating and drinking such as dinner with a large number of people and home parties, small events and weddings, adult ceremonies, prefectures. It lists movements between people and visits at facilities for the elderly.
Regarding the number of vaccinations at this time, it is desirable to require a third booster vaccination, but it is possible for people who have been vaccinated twice at the discretion of the local government or business operator.
Furthermore, in situations where there is a high risk of infection, it is desirable to take into consideration those who have not been vaccinated and to undergo an examination in advance, including those who have been vaccinated.
In addition, for children, it was necessary to confirm a negative test for children aged 6 to 12 years old, while preschoolers under 6 years old do not need to be tested if accompanied by a guardian living together. is.
He pointed out that it is also necessary to prevent discriminatory treatment when utilizing such a mechanism, and the subcommittee discussed and agreed to this idea.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno "Aware of the balance with maintaining economic activity"
Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno said at a press conference in the afternoon about the idea of lifting priority measures such as prevention of spread, "Infection of Omicron strains continues to decrease in many areas. We will continue to strive to reduce the burden on the medical care provision system. It is necessary, but it is important to think about what kind of measures are necessary in the future while keeping in mind the balance with the maintenance of socio-economic activities toward the exit of the sixth wave. "
Regarding the current status of infection, "The number of newly infected people in 15 prefectures out of the 18 prefectures to which priority measures are applied fell below 1 times the previous week, and the number continues to decrease, but it is mild. There is a possibility that the medical care provision system for moderate and moderate cases will be tight, and that the usage rate of severely ill beds by elderly severely ill people will continue to remain high in some areas. "
He added, "At this point, we have not received a request from the local government to extend or cancel the priority measures. We will continue to pay close attention to the infection situation and the degree of medical strain with the utmost caution, and work closely with the governor and experts. We will work together to respond. "