Japan Mulls Lowering COVID-19 Classification Around Early May
15:23 JST, January 21, 2023
The government is considering lowering the classification of COVID-19 under the Infectious Diseases Control Law around the Golden Week holiday period in early May.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida might be hoping to show people in Japan and overseas that the country has overcome the coronavirus pandemic ahead of the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima on May 19-21.
If dangerous mutant variants become prevalent before the status change, the government plans to postpone the reclassification.
COVID-19 is currently classified as a disease “equivalent to Category II” under the law. The government plans to lower it to Category V, which includes seasonal flu.
According to government sources, no decision was made about the timing of the transition at the end of last year because of concerns that the infection situation could worsen during the New Year holiday period and the risk of dangerous variants entering the country from China, where the infection is spreading rapidly.
The average daily number of infections in the week ending January 20 was about 104,000, down by 36% from the previous week. According to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, the fall in case numbers is expected to continue.
Although the number of COVID-related fatalities is increasing, the ministry believes the rate will start to fall in line with the decrease in coronavirus cases.
No influx of mutant variants from China has been confirmed so far.
Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato and others have said the infection situation is not a problem at the moment.
The government also plans to revise border control measures.
“In line with the change in the status under the Infectious Disease Control Law, we will also review the nature of the border control measures,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a press conference on Friday.
If COVID-19 is downgraded, measures such as quarantines and related restrictions will not be enforceable by law.
The ministry also intends to review border measures that have been strengthened since the end of last year for people entering the country from mainland China. “We’ll respond flexibly to the infection situation in China,” Matsuno said.
If new variants become prevalent overseas, the government plans to re-tighten border measures. There is also an idea within the government to add COVID-19 to the list of infectious diseases for which quarantining is necessary.
"Society" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Shinkansen Services Suspended After Man ‘Searches for Phone’ on Tracks; Disruption Affects About 14,000 Passengers
-
U.S. 7th Fleet officer Arrested on Suspicion of Stealing Sushi, Sashimi, Chicken at Kanagawa Shopping Mall; Suspect Caught Mid-Meal
-
JAL Airplane Experiences Radio Malfunction During Flight, Lands Safely By Relying on Light Signals
-
Cherry tree falls on man on Sanneizaka steps leading to famous Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto
-
Earthquake in Western Japan a Reminder to Be Ready for the Big One; 14% of People Have Made No Preparations, Survey Says
JN ACCESS RANKING
- China Mutes Memorialization of Reformer Hu Yaobang; Memories Could Spark Critique of Xi Administration
- Shinkansen Services Suspended After Man ‘Searches for Phone’ on Tracks; Disruption Affects About 14,000 Passengers
- U.S. 7th Fleet officer Arrested on Suspicion of Stealing Sushi, Sashimi, Chicken at Kanagawa Shopping Mall; Suspect Caught Mid-Meal
- UNRWA Director Describes Catastrophic Destruction in Gaza; Says Relief Trucks Robbed, ‘People’s Hearts Destroyed’
- JAL Airplane Experiences Radio Malfunction During Flight, Lands Safely By Relying on Light Signals