Japan To Revise Nationwide Coronavirus Reporting System
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has announced that his government will revise the current system for reporting nationwide coronavirus cases, to ease the burden on healthcare workers.
Medical institutions in Japan are currently required to register all infected people they've identified into a state-run system. Their staff must enter those people's names, dates of birth and other details.
Kishida, who tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday, spoke to reporters online on Wednesday.
He said he will let local governments decide whether to narrow their detailed reports to specific groups, such as the elderly, people who need to be hospitalized, and those who are at risk of becoming seriously ill and require medication.
He added that the total number of positive cases must still be reported.
Kishida also said the government will further ease restrictions on the number of arrivals in Japan, tests prior to their departure for Japan, and quarantine measures upon entry.
He said that from September 7, all arrivals, including Japanese nationals, will be exempt from submitting proof of negativity if they've received their third vaccine shot.
He also said the cap on daily arrivals will be gradually eased from the current 20,000, considering the infection situation at home and abroad, needs and other countries' border control measures.
Kishida also suggested the government may consider shortening the period patients are asked to self-isolate after being infected.
He said fighting the virus isn't easy, but he will speed up efforts to balance infection prevention measures and social and economic activities, without excessive fear and based on the traits of the ever-changing Omicron variant.