The government has decided to gradually ease restrictions on the number of people who may attend large-scale events, after the state of emergency currently in effect in 10 prefectures is lifted, according to a government draft The Yomiuri Shimbun has obtained.
The upper limit on the number of spectators or participants in the 10 prefectures is likely to be increased to 10,000 from the current 5,000. In addition, around one month after the lifting of the state of emergency, the limit may be further eased to a maximum of 50% of capacity.
According to the draft on restrictions on large-scale events, the first month after the lifting of the state of emergency will be a transitional period in which the upper limit will be eased in stages. The maximum number during this period will be 10,000.
The restrictions may be reviewed during the transitional period in light of the coronavirus infection situation.
If the state of emergency in all 10 prefectures is lifted by March 7 as scheduled, the transitional period will end in early April, and then the upper limit may be eased to 50% of capacity.
With the declaration of the state of emergency on Jan. 7, which took effect the next day, the government strengthened the restrictions on the number of participants at large-scale events in areas covered by the declaration. Before the state of emergency, the limit was 50% of capacity for venues with capacity of over 10,000, and 5,000 for those with capacity of 10,000 or lower. However, in the prefectures under the state of emergency, the limit since the emergency was declared has been the lesser of 5,000 people and 50% of capacity.
As a result, even at large venues that can accommodate tens of thousands of people, such as stadiums and concert halls, only up to 5,000 people have been allowed to attend an event.
-- Ban to continue on new entry of foreign visitors
The government has decided to continue banning the new entry of foreign visitors from around the world even if the state of emergency is fully lifted on March 7.
The measure was supposed to be in effect only during the state of emergency, but the government decided to keep it in place as infections with coronavirus variants continue to spread overseas.
The ban on entries of foreign visitors began in December, with exceptions for business travelers from 11 countries and regions including China and South Korea. However, the government suspended the exceptions in January, and all entries of foreign visitors have been banned since.
The government will consider whether to lift the ban, taking into consideration the virus infection situation both inside and outside Japan.
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