Kyodo News Agency reported on January 5 that the Japanese government’s COVID-19 Response Group issued an emergency recommendation on the 5th, pointing out that “the capital circles in which Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo and Kanagawa are located have reached the point where the need for the fourth stage (expansion of the outbreak) countermeasures” and require that every effort be taken in the administrative organs and large enterprises.
Measures such as telecommuting and tightening the conditions for holding activities for 70% of personnel.
Shigeru Otemi, the chairman of the group, said at the press conference that the expansion of the pandemic centered on the capital circle was still continuing, and “the time has come for the declaration of emergency”.
The tail body also stressed: “There is no guarantee that the declaration of emergency will weaken the momentum of the pandemic.
It is difficult to do it in a week or two. Stronger measures may also be taken if necessary.” He expressed his hope to take about a month to bring the pandemic closer to the third stage of the lower level (a sudden increase in infections).
