Regarding Future Measures in Response to COVID-19
May 11, 2021
Covid-19 Countermeasures Headquarters
Emergency Revitalisation of Socio-Economic Activities Headquarters
1 Current COVID-19 infection status
Local case counts have surged due to the presence of a highly contagious COVID-19 variant that causes more severe conditions, and Oita Prefecture has entered alert Level III last week. The prefectural government has requested residents in Oita City and Beppu City to refrain from leaving home for non-essential, non-urgent matters. Restaurants in the same regions have reduced business hours from May 12.
Case counts have continued to climb despite these efforts, with hospital bed occupancy rates and the number of new cases per 100,000 population reaching all-time high in the past few days.
The local healthcare system is facing ongoing pressures that require immediate attention. While the prefecture has made continued efforts in securing hospital beds and quarantine facilities, as well as conducting testing procedures and releasing relevant information in a swift manner, we request that residents adhere to the following measures as neighbouring prefectures also experience a rise in case counts.
2 Specific measures
(1) Self-quarantine
In addition to Oita City and Beppu City, the prefecture requests residents across the prefecture to refrain from leaving home for non-essential, non-urgent matters. All residents should refrain from moving across prefectural borders.
(2) Dining facilities
The prefecture has requested dining facilities in Oita City and Beppu City to shorten business hours from May 12. The same request will extend to dining facilities across the prefecture from May 14 (deadline may be extended to May 17 when deemed necessary), and all facilities are to close by 9pm.
Assistance funds will be granted to cooperating facilities. Diners should refrain from using the “Oita Miryoku Coupon (Oita miryoku kuupon-ken [おおいた味力食うぽん券]” except for ordering takeout.
(3) Measures towards the new variant
All signs indicate that measures conducted thus far are inefficient in curbing the new variant.
In addition to diligent handwashing and using hand disinfectants, residents should make effort in avoiding any of the 3Cs (closed spaces, crowded places, close-contact settings). Ensure to carry out thorough infection control measures when high-risk settings are unavoidable.
Nonwoven masks should be worn in indoor settings, and double-masking is recommended in settings that pose any of the 3Cs. In conjunction to the usage of facemasks, the prefecture recommends that residents maintain appropriate physical distance from each other, as well as shortening contact times for meals and conversations.
3 Conclusion
In face of an unprecedented surge in case counts, stronger measures are essential to curbing the spread of the new variant. The effectiveness of these measures rely on the hands of all local residents – the prefecture asks for your understanding and cooperation in the matter.
Regarding Future Measures in Response to COVID-19(May 11, 2021) [PDFファイル／69KB]
