Another update from the JET Prefectural Advisors, Lily McDermott & Chase Sutherland.
==== Updates to requests in light of Kumamoto’s Risk Level Yesterday, Kumamoto Prefecture announced that it will keep the Risk Level at Level 4. In addition to the previous requests to avoid unnecessary and non-urgent travel outside the prefecture, the prefecture is making additional requests to residents in order to prevent the spread of infection.
The full list as of 11 August is as follows:
⇒To individual residents:
- Continue avoiding unnecessary and non-urgent travel outside of the prefecture.
- Tell relatives and friends who live outside the prefecture to avoid coming to Kumamoto during the obon period.
- [New] When planning family events, avoid dining in groups of 10 people or more. The prefecture requests that people who have symptoms such as cold symptoms or fever do not join in such events.
- People should take special care to reduce the risk of infection around elderly people or those with immune deficiencies in their families.
- [New] Implement measures to prevent the spread of infection in the home, such as washing hands or bathing immediately after returning home, and to separate living spaces from family members who have symptoms such as fever.
⇒To specified restaurants/drinking establishments (i.e. bars, clubs):
- Thoroughly implement measures in guidelines, etc., to prevent the spread of infection, and display a sticker in a visible place so that residents can be made aware that measures are being taken. If infections increase again, the prefecture may request businesses which are not taking sufficient measures to close.
- [Stronger language] Individual residents of Kumamoto should avoid using any “specified restaurants/drinking establishments” (i.e. bars, clubs) which are not implementing measures to prevent the spread of infections, such as failing to display the sticker.
⇒To businesses:
- Implement measures to prevent the spread of infection in the workplace.
- To elderly care facilities and medical institutions, implement measures to prevent the transmission of infection within the facility.
- [New] Thoroughly implement measures, as well as specify what measures are being taken to prevent the spread of infection within workplaces/facilities. ※Decide the rules/procedures to be followed regarding the emergency contact system/business closure in the event that someone is found to have symptoms or is confirmed to be infection. ※Decide who will be responsible for dealing with the event in which someone is confirmed to be infected.
Kumamoto Prefecture may add additional requests depending on the infection situation.
Relevant links: https://this.kiji.is/665889593597559905?c=92619697908483575 https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/kiji_35323.html
List of new cases announced 11 August Four new cases were announced in Kumamoto Prefecture on 11 August, three of which were in Kumamoto City. They are as follows:
Case 361 (August 11) - Male in his 20s, Kumamoto City - Investigation into infection route ongoing Case 360 (August 11) - Male in his 20s, Kumamoto City - Investigation into infection route ongoing Case 359 (August 11) - Male in his 20s, Kumamoto City - Company employee, experienced a loss in sense of taste and smell from August 5 Case 358 (August 10) - Male in his teens, Tamana City - Attends high school in Fukuoka Prefecture
Relevant links: https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/common/UploadFileOutput.ashx?c_id=3&id=32300&sub_id=94&flid=246292 https://www.city.kumamoto.jp/corona/hpkiji/pub/detail.aspx?c_id=5&type=top&id=29471 https://www.city.kumamoto.jp/corona/hpkiji/pub/detail.aspx?c_id=5&type=top&id=29469 http://www.kuma-koku.jp/support-center/page156.html
