The novel coronavirus infection situation has started showing an apparent increasing trend in the number of newly confirmed cases.
 
That trend has been apparent in particular in Hokkaido, Tokyo, Osaka and Aichi prefectures and the surrounding regions.
 
In response to the situation, I received a briefing on the infection situation from Minister Tamura and Minister Nishimura last evening and instructed them to implement, with maximum vigilance, countermeasures thoroughly tailored to the infection situation faced by the respective local governments, closely collaborating with them.
 
I am aware that the experts do not recognize the necessity of declaring a state of emergency or reviewing the Go To campaigns at this point.
 
In the areas where infections are spreading, the Government is firmly supporting the initiatives of the respective local governments to prevent the spread of infections, including by conducting large-scale and intensive testing, dispatching experts on counter-cluster measures, and coordinating the dispatch of public health nurses to other local authorities in need.
 
 I ask the public to once again exercise basic preventive measures, keeping in mind the five scenes where infection risks increase, proposed by the Subcommittee on Novel Coronavirus Disease Control, such as drinking alcohol at social gatherings and having conversations without wearing masks.