Expert: Too Early To Assess Govt. Measures
The head of an expert panel advising the Japanese government says it's too early to assess whether nationwide measures against the coronavirus outbreak are having the desired effect.
Omi Shigeru spoke to reporters at a news conference on Friday held by Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.
He said the panel will be able to make a preliminary assessment around May 6 on whether the number of infections has declined as expected. This will be used as the basis for the panel to recommend next steps.
Omi also said he believes without a doubt that even if the number of new infections declines, it will never drop to zero.
He warned that small waves of infections will continue for some time.
Omi added that the government will need to ease or tighten measures depending on the level of infections at that time.
