Even though a state of emergency was declared following a surge in the number of people infected with the new coronavirus, the government does not believe that hairdressers and home improvement stores should be subject to requests for closure under the revised law on special measures against the coronavirus pandemic.
The government plans to request the closure of indoor sports facilities, amusement parks and some bars and clubs.
Economic Revitalization Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said Tuesday hairdressers and home improvement retailers are "businesses necessary for a stable life. I am not thinking of including them in businesses subject to restrictions."
Examples of businesses that could be asked to close include theaters, cinemas, gymnasiums and bowling alleys, irrespective of the size of their premises, as well as luxury clubs, hostess bars and other entertainment facilities. The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry will allow prefectural governors to request or instruct the suspension of or restrictions on using such businesses.
However, there is no guarantee that the governors of the seven prefectures subject to the declaration will follow the central government's plan in requesting these shutdowns.
The state of emergency declaration was accompanied by the revised basic measure policy in which the government announced the types of businesses it wants to continue operating. The announcement is aimed at maintaining social and economic functions and dispelling public anxiety.
In addition to medical work, the types of jobs listed in the government's business continuity plan include infrastructure such as electricity and gas, the supply of food and daily necessities, and the media.
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike on Tuesday evening asked people in the capital to refrain from going out while the state of emergency declaration is in place.
"I ask people in Tokyo to exercise voluntary restraint in going out as an important pillar of the preventive measures against the spread of infection," Koike told reporters.
The Tokyo metropolitan government initially planned to issue a list of businesses it would request to close or suspend operations before the declaration but eventually did not do so because the central and metropolitan governments found it difficult to reach an agreement.
Koike said she is planning to release the list on Friday, which will be implemented from Saturday.
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