[COVID-19] Declaration of a State of Emergency in response to the Novel Coronavirus Disease (February 26)

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 has declared a state of emergency in relation to the novel coronavirus disease since January 7, 2021. It has also decided that the areas subject to measures under the state of emergency are amended as follows, effective from March 1, 2021:

1. The duration in which measures for the state of emergency shall be implemented

The duration will be from January 8 to March 7, 2021. When it is deemed that the measures for the state of emergency 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 where measures for the state of emergency shall be implemented

Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, and Kanagawa. In these areas, the Government coninues to closely assess the infection situations as wll as the burdens over medical treatment structue and public health structure,  ensuring more thorougoing implementation of the preventive measures against infection towards March 7, the end date of the duration in which measures for the state of emergency shall be implemented.

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 considerably higher ratio; and

・The infections are transmitted beyond prefectural borders or being spread; and, it is causing disruptions in the medical treatment structure and public health structure.

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 as well as national economy through the rapid and nationwide spread of infections.