Extension of emergency declaration Declaration of criteria for judgment of target area of the government 13:51 May 4
The government will change the “Basic Response Policy” to clarify the criteria for determining the area of the emergency declaration. Judgment criteria can be roughly divided into "infection status" and "medical provision system".
“Infection status” refers to the level of the number of new infections every day, the cumulative number of infections, the number of days until the cumulative number of infections doubles, and the ratio of the number of infections for which the transmission route is unknown. is. However, no specific number is shown as to what level it will be possible to cancel, and it will be an issue for future study. In addition, it will be a criterion for judging the infection status of neighboring prefectures and the rapid implementation of PCR tests that doctors consider necessary.
Looking at the trends in the number of new infections in Tokyo, the number was 79 on April 7th, when the declaration was made, and increased to 201 on 17th. I am.
The expert meeting said in a recommendation on 1st of this month, "The number of new infections is declining nationwide, but it is still a considerable number, and the rate of decrease is also compared to the rapid increase in the number of cases. It's loose. "
The "medical provision system" judges whether the division of roles of medical institutions is clarified or whether the adjustment function of patients is established. In addition, whether or not a system for quickly grasping and sharing the operating status of the beds, such as the number of vacant beds, has been established, or whether accommodation facilities, etc. for medical treatment of mildly ill patients can be secured are also criteria for judgment.
A member of the expert council commented on the healthcare provision system in each region: “In specific caution prefectures, the medical field is still under pressure, and even in areas with few infected people, if a cluster of infected people occurs Are in a situation where they will soon be occupied. " It seems that the point will be to establish a system that can not only respond to new coronavirus patients but also other patients.
In the future, the first timing to decide whether or not to cancel the declaration of an emergency is expected to be around the 20th of this month, two weeks after the results of the efforts during the large holidays appear. At this point, the Experts Meeting is expected to evaluate each prefecture whether the figures used as criteria have improved.
"The improving prefectures can be lifted before the deadline for an emergency declaration," said one executive.
The expert panel will continue to carry out such evaluations on a regular basis, and the government will use that as a comprehensive decision as to whether to cancel the declaration.
Again, what is an "emergency declaration"?
The Emergency Declaration is a measure based on the Act on Special Measures for Countering New Coronaviruses, which was established in March. The Prime Minister will make a declaration and specify the period and area where emergency measures will be taken when there is a possibility that the national and rapid spread will have a great impact on people's lives and the economy.
The prefectural governor of the target area can request the residents to cooperate in the prevention of infection, including going out and refraining from going out, unless it is necessary to maintain their lives. In addition, it is possible to request and give instructions such as school closures and restrictions on the use of facilities where many people gather, such as department stores and movie theaters. Can be used without the consent of the owner. In addition, in the event of an emergency, the carrier can be requested and instructed to deliver medicines and medical devices, and if necessary, medicines can be expropriated.
Prime Minister Abe declared an emergency situation in seven prefectures of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Osaka, Hyogo, and Fukuoka on the 7th of last month, and expanded the target to the whole country on the 16th.
"Special vigilance prefectures" will have the same response after extension
It is said that the “specific warning prefectures” need to make efforts to prevent the spread of infection with particular emphasis, and Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Osaka, which was the first subject of the emergency declaration, , Hyogo, 7 prefectures of Hokkaido, and 6 prefectures of Hokkaido, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Gifu, Aichi, and Kyoto are designated as a total of 13 prefectures.
In 6 prefectures such as Hokkaido and Aichi prefectures, the cumulative number of infected persons exceeded 100, the number of infected persons doubled in less than 10 days, and the ratio of cases where the infection route was unknown It was said that the infection was as widespread as in the seven prefectures because it was high.
The government is asking the 13 “special vigilance prefectures” to implement thorough measures such as requesting restrictions on the use of facilities and reducing the chances of contact with people by 80%. The policy is to seek similar measures.
Progress of "Emergency Declaration"
It is the process of declaring an emergency based on the Act on Special Measures Against the New Coronavirus.
In preparation for the spread of the new coronavirus infection, Prime Minister Abe instructed the relevant ministers on February 27 at the government's task force to prepare for the preparation of a special measure law that enables declaration of an emergency. .
While some opposition parties are concerned about restrictions on private rights, Prime Minister Abe called for cooperation by holding individual meetings with the 5 opposition party leaders on March 4, in order to promptly pass the bill. .
Then, on March 13, the Act on Special Measures Against the New Coronavirus was approved and passed at the plenary session of the House of Councilors.
While the number of infected people is rapidly increasing in Tokyo and elsewhere, the government established a "Countermeasures Headquarters" based on the Act on Special Measures on March 26.
Then, two days later, at the task force on March 28, the “basic coping policy” was decided, which included general policies that the government and others would work on, and the legal procedures for declaring an emergency were completed. .
Regarding the declaration of an emergency, there was a strong opinion that the government should consider the impact on the economy and respond carefully, but Governor Koike of Tokyo and Governor Yoshimura of Osaka Prefecture and the Japan Medical Association, etc. Medical professionals have called for a declaration.
In April, the number of infected people per day in Tokyo exceeded 100, and the sense of urgency in the government increased. Prime Minister Abe on the 6th, Minister for Economic Rehabilitation Nishimura in charge of new coronavirus countermeasures, We had a meeting with Shigeru Omi, chairman of the government's “Advisory Committee,” which is made up of infectious disease specialists, and received a report on the situation.
He also announced his intention to issue an emergency declaration on April 7. The target area is seven prefectures such as Tokyo, and the period is about one month until May 6, and the countermeasures headquarters also announced such a policy.
On April 7, Prime Minister Abe said that the Advisory Committee stated that the government's policy of issuing an emergency declaration targeting seven prefectures, including Tokyo, is appropriate. Attended the Parliamentary Steering Committee to explain government policy. Declaration was decided at the countermeasure headquarters in the evening. Prime Minister Abe held a press conference and called on residents in seven prefectures to refrain from going out, aiming to reduce 70% to 80% of contact opportunities with people. In addition, the government decided an emergency economic measure in an extraordinary cabinet meeting.
In response to the issuance of the emergency declaration, the governor of Tokyo, Koike, announced on April 10 the specific business conditions for requesting cooperation for the suspension of business. Initially, the city planned to make requests to department stores, home improvement stores, barber shops, etc., but due to coordination with the government, it was not included in the target.
While the outbreak continued to spread in areas other than the seven prefectures that were the targets of the emergency declaration, while Aichi Prefecture and other countries made their own emergency declarations, Prime Minister Abe made the declaration target areas nationwide at the countermeasures headquarters on April 16. Decided to expand. At a press conference the next day, we repeatedly called for refraining from moving from urban areas to rural areas for the long holidays.
At the House of Councilors Budget Committee on April 29, Prime Minister Abe said that the number of newly infected people is still increasing, and asked, "On May 6, whether it can be said that the" emergency situation is over. " I think the situation remains severe. "
Then, on May 1st, it was clarified that the target area would be extended nationwide for about a month.
Prime Minister Abe met with Nishimura's Minister for Economic Recovery and Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kato on May 3, and decided to extend the period of the declaration until May 31 to consult the Government Advisory Committee. In addition, upon extension, we have established a policy of not adding any new prefectures to the “specific warning prefectures” that are promoting particularly focused efforts.