We recognize that the novel coronavirus infection situation requires maximum vigilance as the total number of cases nationally has exceeded 2,000, a record high.
 
The Government has decided to provide support towards local governments’ requests to business operators to shorten business hours and has requested prefectural governors to exclude dining by groups of 5 or more from the Go To Eat campaign. Yesterday I got a briefing from Minister Nishimura and Minister Tamura regarding the infection situation and instructed them to thoroughly conduct intensive testing at elderly care facilities in areas showing the spread of infections and implement more effective measures based on the discussions at the Expert Meetings to be held today and tomorrow.
 
I ask the public once again to thoroughly exercise basic preventive measures such as wearing masks and avoiding the 3Cs (closed spaces, crowded places, close-contact settings). In particular, the experts have pointed out infection risks associated with dining and have advised people to wear a mask when talking, even when a meal is underway. I strongly encourage the public to enjoy dining quietly, wearing masks whenever possible even during the meal. I will definitely follow this guideline myself beginning today.