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On January 31, 2020, the Prime Minister held the third meeting of the Novel Coronavirus Response Headquarters at the Prime Minister’s Office.

At the meeting, a discussion was held on the response to the novel coronavirus.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,

“Early in the morning, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)’ with regard to the infectious disease related to the novel coronavirus. Following this declaration, we decided to bring forward to tomorrow, February 1, the designation of the infectious disease related to the novel coronavirus as a Designated Infectious Disease under the Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Medical Care for Patients with Infectious Diseases. With this designation, we will deny entry of individuals who are infected by the virus in accordance with the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. In addition, we have decided to make the unprecedented response to enhance immigration controls significantly, even in the cases where infection has not been confirmed. In particular, for the time being, we will deny entry of foreign nationals who have any history of staying in Hubei Province during 14 days prior to arrival in Japan, and those who have a Chinese passport issued by Hubei Province, unless there is any specific need, under the stipulations of the Immigration Control Act, from the perspective of strengthening the effectiveness of border controls in light of the fact that individuals have tested positive regardless of symptoms. We will proceed the necessary arrangements and enforce them as of midnight, February 1, at the same time as the enforcement of the designation of the Designated Infectious Disease.

Amidst a situation in which the outbreak is reaching globally, as the WHO declared a PHEIC, the Government is exerting its every effort to prevent the outbreak in Japan. I ask all of you to prioritize the protection of the lives and health of the people and take advance actions without being constrained by past practices.”