Japan also prepares to remove masks... "Manage like the flu starting from spring"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] The Japanese government announced on the 20th that it will manage COVID-19 like seasonal influenza starting this spring.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo that day regarding the classification under the Infectious Diseases Control Law, "In principle, I have instructed the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare to proceed with reviewing the transition of COVID-19 to 'Category 5,' the same as seasonal influenza, this spring." Currently, COVID-19 is managed as "Category 2 equivalent," the second highest of five levels under Japan's Infectious Diseases Control Law, alongside tuberculosis and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

The timing of COVID-19's reclassification will be officially decided by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the responsible department, after consulting experts. Kyodo News reported that multiple proposals, including one for April, are being considered within the Japanese government.

On the same day, Prime Minister Kishida stated, "We will also reconsider requests for mask-wearing and refraining from going out for confirmed cases and close contacts." Media outlets reported that the Japanese government is expected to announce that indoor mask-wearing will be unnecessary except for symptomatic individuals, the elderly, and those with underlying conditions. It is also anticipated that the seven-day isolation for confirmed cases, five-day isolation for close contacts, and requests for refraining from going out for both confirmed cases and close contacts will be eliminated. Earlier, in May last year, the Japanese government announced that wearing masks outdoors is generally unnecessary.

Prime Minister Kishida said, "We will implement various policy measures step-by-step to restore Japan to normal times." He cited examples such as the medical care provision system and government medical expense support.

However, COVID-19 vaccinations will continue under the Immunization Act regardless of changes to the classification under the Infectious Diseases Control Law. Japan is currently experiencing its eighth wave of COVID-19, with about 100,000 new daily cases recently reported.