Govt. To Mull Lifting State Of Emergency
Japan's government plans to convene a meeting of experts this week to consider if there are any regions where the coronavirus state of emergency can be lifted.
The government is preparing to make some changes to its basic response plan according to the revised coronavirus special measures law. The law is set to take effect on Saturday.
Government officials plan to make a decision on the matter after hearing from the experts on Friday.
They are also expected to discuss about the state of emergency that is currently in place for 10 prefectures. They will likely examine the possibility of lifting it earlier than planned for some of the prefectures.
If the state of emergency is removed from a prefecture, the officials will then see whether that prefecture should be subject to a new infection preventive scheme. The scheme is outlined in the revised law.
Some officials say it is getting more likely that the state of emergency can be lifted for Aichi and Gifu prefectures given the improving situations there. But the government plans to take a cautious approach because the areas' medical resources remain strained.
On Tuesday, Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi, who is tasked with the country's coronavirus response, and Health Minister Tamura Norihisa, will hear from experts. The topics will include how to proceed under the revised special measures law.
On Monday, in light of increased foot traffic on the streets over the weekend, Nishimura warned people about complacency.