In response to the rapid spread of the new corona infection, Prime Minister Kishida has been discussing the response with the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Goto and other related ministers, and has been waiting for a close contact from 22nd to maintain socio-economic activities. In principle, we decided to shorten it from 7 days to 5 days.
Antigen test on the 2nd and 3rd day is negative → Waiting can be canceled on the 3rd day
Following the rapid spread of the new corona infection, Prime Minister Kishida discussed with Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Goto and the Minister in Charge of Japan's new corona at Yamagiwa on the afternoon of the 22nd at the Prime Minister's Office.
As a result, in order to maintain socio-economic activities, the waiting period at home, etc., which is required of close contacts from the 22nd, has been shortened from the previous 7 days to 5 days in principle, and the 2nd and 3rd days. If the antigen test is negative, we have decided that we can cancel the wait on the third day.
In addition, based on the current situation that it is difficult for fever outpatients to undergo a medical examination, an antigen test kit is distributed at the fever outpatient department so that people with symptoms can test themselves before the medical examination, and the test results are given to local governments where doctors are assigned. If you contact the counter, etc., you will be able to receive health observations.
Furthermore, in order to build a medical care provision system, among the financial support measures for medical institutions, those that are due at the end of this month will be extended to the end of September.
After this, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Goto will inoculate reporters with a vaccine that has been improved to be highly effective against the Omicron strain currently under development, as early as autumn, for all people. We have clarified the policy to proceed with preparations assuming that.
He added, "I would like to do my utmost to protect the elderly at risk of becoming seriously ill while maintaining socio-economic activities as much as possible. I want you to take thorough infection control measures. "
What it will be?
"Waiting period"
The waiting period for close contacts at home, etc. has been shortened by two days.
Specifically, it is the latest of the day when the infected person develops the disease, the day when the infected person is asymptomatic, the day when the sample is collected, or the day when the infection is found and the infection control is started at home. If 5 days have passed since the day after the day and there are no symptoms, the wait will be canceled.
Also, on the 2nd and 3rd days, the test will be performed with the antigen test kit, and if both are negative, the waiting will be canceled at that point.
However, even in that case, it is necessary to check the physical condition by measuring the body temperature by yourself and refrain from contact with the elderly for 7 days.
On the other hand, in addition to medical staff, so-called "essential workers" such as staff of facilities for the elderly and nursery schools have been tested daily, and if negative, there is no symptom and the third vaccine. It is said that you can go to work on condition that you have been vaccinated, and this treatment will continue.
What it will be?
"Behavioral restrictions"
At this point, the government is in a position that behavioral restrictions are not necessary, considering the socio-economic loss and benefits of restricting behaviors, as the medical pressure is not serious.
However, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Goto said at a previous press conference, "If it is expected that the characteristics of the virus will change or the bed will become tight in the future, we will take highly effective and powerful measures to prevent the spread of infection, including behavioral restrictions. I will take it. "
In addition, the Minister in Charge of Japan's Corona, Yamagiwa, said at a press conference on the 22nd, "If the situation changes, the government's policy will naturally change flexibly. If necessary, we will change the policy without hesitation." ..
The government will consider new behavioral restrictions while assessing the tightness of medical care.
The background of the shortening of the period is
In response to the rapid spread of the infection, the business community has said that they have become close contacts and cannot go to work even if they have no symptoms, which is hindering their work.
In addition, even if a medical worker becomes a close contact, he / she is supposed to be able to go to work if a negative result is confirmed in the daily test, but in reality, there are cases where he / she refrains from going to work because he / she has become a close contact. There are concerns about labor shortages in the medical field.
For these reasons, the government has decided to shorten the waiting period for close contacts, saying that although the number of newly infected people has reached a record high, it is necessary to balance infection control and socio-economic activities.