Contents? What are the challenges? Act on Special Measures for Countermeasures against New Coronavirus March 13, 19:42

The Special Measures Law on New Coronavirus Countermeasures was approved by the House of Councilors plenary session, and was approved and passed with a majority in favor. In preparation for the further spread of the infection, the Prime Minister will make an "Emergency Declaration", and the prefectural governors will be able to request or give instructions such as self-restraint or school closure. Here are the details and issues.

Contents?

When the law is enacted, the “New Coronavirus Infectious Disease” will be added to the Special Measures Law against Pandemic Influenza.

The target period is "up to two years", but the Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization, Nishimura, in charge, says that for the moment, one year is assumed.

Then, the Prime Minister will be able to make an “Emergency Declaration”, but when making such a declaration, there is a possibility that the life and health of the people will be significantly seriously affected, and due to the nationwide and rapid spread. It is stipulated that both of the two requirements must be met when there is a possibility of having a significant impact on people's lives and the economy.

In addition, procedures such as consulting the Advisory Committee, which is made up of infectious disease experts, are necessary.

If the Prime Minister determines that an emergency declaration is necessary through these procedures, the Prime Minister will specify the period and area for urgent action and issue a declaration.

As a result, prefectural governors in the target area will be able to request residents to cooperate in preventing infection, including self-restraint, except when necessary to maintain their lives.

In addition to requesting and giving instructions such as closing schools and restricting the use of facilities where many people gather, such as department stores and movie theaters, if there is a special need, own land and buildings to maintain temporary medical facilities. Can be used without your consent.

In addition, in an emergency, the carrier can request and direct the delivery of medicines and medical devices, and if necessary, expropriate medicines.

In this way, when the “Emergency Declaration” is issued, the administrative organs are given strong authority, so in consultations between the ruling and opposition parties and in deliberations of the Diet, opinions requiring careful judgment, and prior reporting and approval to the Diet. Opinion for was given.

The requirements for issuing an "Emergency Declaration" are ...

As a result of consultations between the ruling and opposition parties, the Cabinet Committee of the House of Representatives and the Cabinet Committee of the House of Representatives have passed respective resolutions on the Special Measures Law on Countermeasures against the New Coronavirus.

Among them, the House of Representatives Cabinet Committee considers that measures based on the “Emergency Declaration” may have a significant impact on people's lives, and it has been determined from various perspectives whether or not it meets the requirement to issue a declaration. In addition to making careful judgments based on this, we will listen to the opinions of infectious disease specialists and the like in advance.

In addition, when declaring an emergency, we will report to the Diet in advance, unless it is urgent and unavoidable, and we will report the situation thereafter in a timely manner.

Also, taking into account the economic impact of this situation, we will implement thorough monetary and fiscal policies focusing on consumption and employment, and continue business with small and medium-sized enterprises and sole proprietors who have experienced a certain decrease in revenue. When requesting considerations to be made and restrictions on the use of facilities, consideration will be given to those who are disadvantaged economically.

It also includes objective and scientific verification of a series of government actions from a third-party perspective.

In addition, in the incidental resolution of the House of Representatives Cabinet Committee, in addition to these items, when making an emergency declaration, the minutes of the meeting and supporting data should be preserved, and explanations should be given to the public, and work should be suspended due to temporary school closure. They are also making every effort to help parents who are no longer available.

What are the challenges?

Issues regarding the Special Measures Law were pointed out during ruling and opposition talks and the Diet. The first is to dispel concerns about the limited rights of the people.

In the event that a “Declaration of Emergency” is issued, administrative authorities will have strong authority, and a supplementary resolution passed by the Parliamentary Committee states that “restrictions on the freedom and rights of the people shall be kept to a minimum.” it was done.

Experts point out that the impact on people's lives and the economy should be followed when the declaration is made, and how to balance the extent of the restriction with the effectiveness of preventing the spread of infection is questioned. .

In addition, the government has designated this situation as a `` historical emergency '' that the state and society should share records based on the guidelines on management of administrative documents, and it is obliged to prepare minutes of meetings etc. .

The government is required to document the series of actions in detail and to explain them to the public in a way that is easy to understand.

The future of the law on viral infectious diseases will also be an issue for the future.

This legislation was amended by amending the Special Measures Act on New Pandemic Influenza Measures enacted in 2012 and adding new coronaviruses, but in the Diet deliberations, similar viruses will occur in the near future The issue of responding to this was an issue.

As in this case, it is likely that there will be some debate in the future whether the law should be revised or a certain classification should be applied in advance.