State of emergency declared. Kansai 2 prefectures and 1 prefecture to be lifted. Tokyo metropolitan area and Hokkaido to continue.
The government declared a state of emergency due to the spread of the new coronavirus in Osaka, Kyoto, and Hyogo on the 21st, but Tokyo and other three prefectures in the Tokyo metropolitan area and Hokkaido have decided to continue the state of emergency.
With regard to the declaration of a state of emergency based on the Act on Special Measures against New Coronaviruses, the government will decide on the 21st whether it is possible to lift the remaining 8 prefectures, with the Tokyo metropolitan area and the Kansai region taking into account their living areas and other factors.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kan said, "We will make a comprehensive decision on the release of the virus by paying particular attention to the infection situation, health care delivery system, and surveillance system.
One of the guiding principles of the government is that the number of new infections in the past week should be less than or equal to 0.5 per 100,000 people, and Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo in the Kansai region have met this guideline.
On the other hand, the Tokyo metropolitan area and three prefectures, including Tokyo and Kanagawa, do not meet the standard, and Hokkaido, which does not meet the standard, will continue to declare its status.
On the 21st, the government will consult with an advisory committee made up of experts on infectious diseases, and then report and ask questions to the House of Representatives Steering Committee of both houses of the House of Representatives before making a formal decision at the task force.
However, even in the areas that have been lifted, there is a risk of the infection spreading again unless thorough infection prevention measures are taken, and we call for continued efforts such as reducing contact with people as much as possible.
The House of Representatives Steering Committee of the House of Representatives is gearing up to hold a committee meeting at 3 p.m. on the 21st to receive a report from the government and to ask questions of the various parties over the lifting of the state of emergency declaration in some areas. The House of Councillors also decided to hold a House Steering Committee meeting at 4 p.m. on the 21st for a report from the government and questions from each party. Minister for Economic Revitalization Nishimura is expected to give a report.