On February 23, 2020, the Prime Minister held the 12th 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 (COVID-19). 


Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
 
 “In several areas of Japan, a series of cases have been reported whose routes of transmission are not clear. Now is the critical phase for the prevention of further outbreak. It is of extreme importance for epidemic control to implement reliable and effective prevention measures and reduce the rate of increase of patients. At the same time, from the perspective of minimizing the number of patients with serious symptoms in preparation for a significant increase in the number of patients in the country, it is necessary to put a medical treatment structure in place immediately that focuses on the prevention of the deterioration of symptoms.
 
It is also necessary to assess and understand the current situation correctly and further implement measures, with the national government, the local governments, medical professionals, business operators, and the public working together. I ask everyone to advance the relevant work with the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare so as to prepare for future developments and streamline measures that we must implement in fields such as communications with public and private companies, prevention measures, and medical treatment structures, as well as swiftly present them as a comprehensive basic policy to the public.
 
The research and development of therapeutic agents against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is also extremely important. An anti-influenza medication, Avigan (Favipiravir), and other treatments are already being used at several medical institutions for those patients who needed treatments and consented to the medication after receiving a thorough explanation. I ask you to accelerate relevant efforts based on the emergency measures we compiled just recently.
 
In addition, concerning the cruise ship Diamond Princess, those passengers who tested negative in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening and completed the 14-day health observation period have been disembarking the ship after a health check. Most of the passengers have left the ship. I ask you to further strengthen follow-up measures on the health conditions of those passengers.
 
With respect to those with foreign nationality, preparations are underway for their return to their home countries, including with chartered flights. We are working on this matter, even collaborating with relevant countries and regions in this regard. I ask you to advance the necessary considerations for ship crew disembarkment, while paying attention to the maintenance of ship functions.
 
Now is the critical moment for the prevention of further outbreak. I reiterate that I would like to ask the public for your cooperation in taking actions to prevent infections from spreading such as thoroughly practicing hand-washing and coughing etiquette as well as taking leave from school or work and refraining from going outside, when having the symptoms of a cold, such as a fever.”