The Japanese government is expected to leave mask-wearing to individual discretion starting next month.
According to NHK on the 9th, the Japanese government has decided to leave mask-wearing indoors, which is currently recommended in principle, to individual judgment from the beginning of next month.
In Japan, mask-wearing is currently generally unnecessary outdoors, while it is recommended indoors except in some cases.
With the number of new COVID-19 cases decreasing nationwide, the Japanese government decided to first lift the mask mandate, considering that it takes about a month to prepare for the reclassification under the Infectious Diseases Control Law.
From April, when the new school term begins, Japanese schools are coordinating to generally not require mask-wearing during educational activities.
According to Kyodo News, the Infectious Diseases Subcommittee of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare approved a plan to announce new COVID-19 cases once a week instead of daily starting May 8, in line with the reclassification under the Infectious Diseases Control Law.
The timing for changing the announcement frequency of hospitalized and severe COVID-19 patients to once a week will be decided later. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is also reviewing whether to change the frequency of death toll announcements.
The Japanese government plans to conduct COVID-19 vaccinations once a year starting this year, with the next vaccination expected in the fall or winter. The Asahi Shimbun reported that although charging for vaccinations was considered following the reclassification, the government has decided to continue offering free vaccinations.
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