The government has decided to allocate about 300 billion yen to provide free PCR tests for asymptomatic people and those who cannot be vaccinated against the coronavirus for health reasons, in preparation for a possible "sixth wave" of infections, according to sources.
The funds will be included in the fiscal 2021 supplementary budget proposal, government sources said.
To balance infection control and daily life, the government plans to ease such restrictions as the number of people allowed to participate in events, through a "vaccine and testing package" that utilizes certificates and other proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test at the entrance to events and restaurants.
The PCR tests will be free through next March for people who cannot be vaccinated due to health reasons, in a bid to establish and promote the use of the package. Testing will also be free if infections spread and a prefectural governor requests asymptomatic people concerned about infection to undergo testing based on the coronavirus-related special measures law.
In both cases, people must take the test in person at private testing facilities or pharmacies.
The government is planning to allocate about 6.8 trillion yen as special local government subsidies for regional revitalization in the supplementary budget plan.
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