Panel Mulls Not Setting Restrictions Even If Covid Cases Resurge After Holidays
The Japanese government's expert panel on the coronavirus response has discussed possible measures in case infections resurge after the upcoming holiday week that would put a strain on the healthcare system.
Experts noted at Wednesday's meeting that Japan has been able to keep numbers of infections and deaths low compared to other nations. They ascribed the situation to voluntary restrictions on movement, basic anti-infection measures, state of emergency declarations and quasi-emergency restrictions.
But the negative socio-economic impact of the pandemic, including on education, has been pointed out at the same time, as seen by a slow economic recovery and an increase in suicides.
The panel then suggested four patterns of response to a post-holiday resurge in infections.
The first is what has been done until now. That is to restrict activities and have coronavirus patients treated at designated medical institutions.
The second is to restrict activities but have patients cared for as much as possible by local medical institutions.
The third is not to impose any restrictions and encourage voluntary measures, but only designated medical institutions will treat patients.
The fourth is not to impose restrictions and have patients seen locally.
The panel will continue discussing which combination of measures would be best.
Panel chief Omi Shigeru told reporters that rather than choosing from one of the four options, it is more about having the central and local governments decide on balanced measures, depending on the regional or local situation.
Omi said his personal view is that it is no longer appropriate to ask citizens to restrict their movement. In the longer term, he said, restrictions should be minimized with full use of scientific technology and IT.