[COVID-19] Declaration of a State of Emergency in response to the Novel Coronavirus Disease

In pursuant to Article 32, Paragraph 1 of the Act on Special Measures for Pandemic Influenza and New Infectious Diseases Preparedness and Response (Act No. 31 of 2012), the government declared a state of emergency in relation to the novel coronavirus disease on April 7, 2020. It has also decided that the areas subject to measures under the state of emergency are amended as follows;

1. The duration in which the emergency situation measures shall be implemented
From April 7 to May 31, 2020 (from April 16, for Kyoto and Hokkaido). When it is deemed that the emergency situation measures are no longer necessary, the state of emergency shall be lifted expeditiously in accordance with Article 32, Paragraph 5 of the Act on Special Measures for Pandemic Influenza and New Infectious Diseases Preparedness and Response.

2. Areas subject to the emergency situation measures
Hokkaido, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Kyoto, Osaka and Hyogo

3. Overview of the State of Emergency
Regarding the novel coronavirus disease,

・It has been confirmed that, compared to seasonal influenza, patients develop pneumonia with considerable frequency; and
・There are many cases in which it is difficult to identify the routes of transmission and the rapid increase of such cases has been confirmed; and, medical systems are being stretched.

Therefore, it has been determined that a situation has emerged that could cause a serious damage to the lives and health of the people and have a great impact the daily lives of the people and the national economy through the rapid and nationwide spread of infections.