Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will designate the 'Wuhan Pneumonia' caused by the novel coronavirus as a 'designated infectious disease' under the law, allowing for compulsory measures.
On the 27th, Prime Minister Abe appeared before the House of Representatives Budget Committee and announced that the following day, at the Cabinet meeting, Wuhan Pneumonia would be designated as a designated infectious disease under the Infectious Diseases Control Law. He explained, "This measure is to enable hospitalization of infected individuals and appropriate medical care funded by public expenses (national and public organization costs)."
Once designated as a designated infectious disease, compulsory measures can be taken against patients confirmed to be infected within Japan. Patients can be advised to be hospitalized at medical institutions capable of responding to infectious diseases, and if they do not comply, they can be forcibly hospitalized. They may also be instructed to take leave from work for a certain period.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who appeared before the Budget Committee, stated that about 560 Japanese nationals are currently staying in Hubei Province, including Wuhan. It is reported that the Japanese government has begun consultations with the Chinese government to repatriate its citizens staying in the Wuhan area. A charter flight is planned to be dispatched as early as the 28th.
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