A week has passed since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared a state of emergency in seven prefectures, including Tokyo.
The spread of the new coronavirus must be brought under control by reducing the chances of person-to-person contact as much as possible.
Japan's state of emergency declaration, unlike mandatory measures such as curfews that carry penalties in other countries, is intended to achieve its aim by obtaining cooperation from companies and residents.
On the weekend after the declaration was issued, small crowds were at Tokyo Station and other major stations. Shopping and entertainment districts such as Ginza and Shibuya, which are usually crowded with shoppers on Saturdays and Sundays, were also quiet.
It can be said that crowded conditions were avoided as many people refrained from going out.
On the other hand, progress has not been made yet toward slashing the number of commuters on weekdays, and congestion can be seen depending on the time and place. The prime minister has called on all business operators in the seven prefectures to decrease the number of people going to work by at least 70%.
Although the circumstances may differ depending on the type of business, utmost efforts are urged to promote teleworking and staggered work hours.
Shoppers are flocking to places such as local shopping districts and supermarkets, in contrast to the drop in the number of people in central urban areas. If crowded conditions arise, that may lead to the spread of infections.
Don't go shopping with the whole family, but in small numbers. In stores, maintain distance from other shoppers. Perhaps such warnings are necessary.
In the past week, the Tokyo metropolitan government requested a wide range of industries to suspend operations, and the six other prefectures have moved in step. That the increase in the number of infected people has not slowed is behind these moves.
The Tokyo metropolitan government plans to provide its own financial assistance to businesses that comply with the request for closures. The six other prefectures are also considering support measures with the use of subsidies from the central government. The central and local governments are urged to work together on measures to prevent business operators from falling into economic hardship for following the request to suspend business to stave off the spread of the virus.
Even beyond these seven prefectures, the infection has been spreading. The central government has expanded its request to people nationwide to refrain from dining at eating and drinking establishments that operate at night as they are likely to become hotbeds for infection. It is important not to have lax vigilance as medical systems are vulnerable in some regional areas.
The central government's aim is to bring the situation under control at an early date by drastically curbing person-to-person contact. One estimate says if the contact is reduced by 80%, the number of infection cases will plunge in the first two weeks and clear effects will be apparent in the two weeks following.
Realization of the settling of the situation depends on whether individuals can change their behavior drastically. It is hoped that people also do not forget the basics of infection prevention such as the washing of hands.
-- The original Japanese article appeared in The Yomiuri Shimbun on April 15, 2020.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
