Economic Revitalization Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said Tuesday that he had telephoned Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike to convey the government's position that it was OK for residents to travel to other prefectures, in response to Koike's plea to avoid nonessential trips outside of Tokyo to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
"Under the government's policy, people can travel freely as they have always been able to," Nishimura said at a press conference. "The Tokyo governor displayed understanding of our intention and said, 'I see.'"
The central government has lifted the request for people to refrain from moving between prefectures and plans to resume socioeconomic activities in stages.
On Saturday, Koike said, "I ask residents again to refrain from nonessential visits to other prefectures," highlighting dissonance with the central government.
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