Joe Tomei here with an update from the JET Prefectural Advisors, Lily McDermott & Chase Sutherland. As always, thanks to them for sharing these reports.
======= Hi everyone,
It seems like today will be our last day of reprieve from the rainy season, which will start in full force again starting tomorrow. Here are some updates regarding COVID-19.
“Quasi-Emergency Measures” to be replaced with “Period of Strengthened Measures for the Protection of Our Health Care System” Due to the number of new cases reducing in Kumamoto, the national government is not extending the “Quasi-Emergency” (まん延防止等重点措置, man’en bōshi tō jūten sochi) designation for Kumamoto. These measures are set to end on Sunday, June 13.
As you can see in the attached image below, the number of cases has come down (thanks to everyone’s co-operation with the measures).
However, although the number of cases has decreased in recent weeks, the threat of highly transmissible variants remains high, and the prefectural government today released its plans to replace the Quasi-Emergency measures with its own independent “Period of Strengthened Actions for the Protection of Our Health Care System” (our unofficial translation of 医療を守る行動強化期間, iryō wo mamoru kōdō kyōka kikan).
The measures for the aformentioned “Period of Strengthened Actions for the Protection of Our Health Care System”, which will be in place between June 14 and June 30, are as follows:
① Movement across prefectural lines Avoid all unnecessary and non-urgent movement out of the prefecture. In particular, strictly avoid any travel to and from areas for which there is a State of Emergency or Quasi-Emegency Measures in place.
② Outings The elderly and their co-habitating family members should avoid all unncessary and non-urgent outings. In Kumamoto City, avoid all unncessary and non-urgent outings, even during the day time, and particularly after 9pm. Do not drink in groups outdoors or in public parks, etc. Be thorough with measures to avoid the spread of infection when outside the home (e.g., mask wearing, hand washing, physical distance etc.)
② Eating out Please keep the following points in mind when eating with others, even when eating and drinking in your own home, in order to minimize the risk of transmission: As much as possible, eat only with others who you are usually already together with/spend time with Eat with as few people as possible Follow the “4 steps” for avoiding risk when eating meals (https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/soshiki/30/93983.html) Avoid drinking or gathering with others late at night, regardless of where you are in the prefecture, to prevent the spread of infection Do not utilise establishments which are not implementing measures to prevent the spread of infection
As you can see from the above, the requests to individual members of the public will remain largely unchanged at this time – the main difference will be the availability of various government subsidies to businesses that are requested to shorten their hours and the ability (backed by legislation passed earlier this year) to enforce those requests with fines.
A word about vaccine distribution Recently, more detailed schedules have been released regarding the vaccination programme by municipalities across the country. Information about how the vaccination schedule and how to book a vaccine in Kumamoto City is available on the Kumamoto City website here: https://www.city.kumamoto.jp/hpKiji/pub/detail.aspx?c_id=5&id=35621&class_set_id=2&class_id=66
Since each municipality is responsible for running their own vaccine distribution programme, the rollout schedules and reservation method will vary.