From the 9th to the end of this month, the government plans to apply priority measures such as prevention of spread to the three prefectures of Okinawa, Yamaguchi, and Hiroshima, where the infection of the new coronavirus is rapidly spreading.
It will be officially decided on the 7th after consulting with experts, and it will be the first application in the Kishida Cabinet since it was lifted in September last year.
On the 6th, the number of newly infected people of the new corona was 981 in Okinawa and 181 in Yamaguchi, both of which were the highest ever, and the number increased rapidly to 273 in Hiroshima. Since September 18, last year, 4000 people have been infected nationwide. Exceeded.
After the three prefectures of Okinawa, Yamaguchi, and Hiroshima requested the application of priority measures such as prevention of spread, Prime Minister Kishida discussed with the relevant ministers on the night of the 6th.
He told reporters, "We have come to the conclusion that we should consult about applying priority measures from the viewpoint of early response," and indicated that we will apply priority measures to the three prefectures from the 9th to the end of this month. I did.
In addition, considering the infectivity of Omicron strains, we would like to strengthen the content of priority measures such as making it possible to stop the provision of alcoholic beverages at local certified stores at the governor's discretion.
On the 7th, the government will consult with the "Basic Coping Policy Subcommittee" made up of experts, and if consent is obtained, it will be officially decided by the Countermeasures Headquarters after prior reporting to the Diet and questions.
This is the first time for the Kishida Cabinet to apply the priority measures since it was lifted in September last year.
On the other hand, Chairman Nakagawa of the Japan Medical Association said, "I think we have entered the sixth wave nationwide. If an explosive spread of infection occurs beyond expectations, the number of seriously ill people will inevitably increase, and medical institutions will not be able to handle it. There is a risk that it will disappear. "
The government is paying close attention to the infection situation throughout the country, including the Tokyo metropolitan area, where the number of infected people is increasing rapidly, and plans to respond flexibly in cooperation with local governments so as not to cause a strain on the medical care provision system.