No.102 Lifting of the state of emergency and the future

A state of emergency declaration based on the Act on Special Measures against New Influenza, etc. was issued on April 7, 2020 for seven prefectures: Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Osaka, Hyogo, and Fukuoka. It was expanded to all prefectures on April 16th.
The period was originally scheduled to end on May 6, 2020, and although the number of new infections nationwide has decreased due to the efforts of the people as a whole through Golden Week, the medical provision system continued to be under strain. , it was decided on May 4, 2020 that it would be extended until May 31.
Subsequently, on May 14, 2020, after organizing the criteria for determining areas to issue a state of emergency, the areas that will continue to be declared are Hokkaido, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and other areas. The ban has been lifted in 39 prefectures.
According to the situation analysis on May 21, 2020, the areas that will continue to be lifted are Hokkaido, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, and Kanagawa, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hyogo will be lifted, and the area will be completely lifted on May 25, 2020. It has just been lifted.
Until now, the cluster control team set up at the government's new coronavirus infection control headquarters and local public health centers have been conducting steady efforts to trace the infection route, and medical institutions have been working hard to combat the new coronavirus, for which there are limited effective treatments. They bravely faced down the situation and carried out life-saving measures.
As a result of these efforts, Japan has an exceptionally low number of infected people and deaths compared to other countries in the world. However, the reasons for these achievements are still unknown, and we cannot be too happy about them; however, they are currently being praised overseas as being successful in suppressing the spread of infection.
This cancellation comes about three months after the temporary closure of elementary and junior high schools began, and about a month and a half since the state of emergency was declared.
The novel coronavirus infection appears to be on the verge of coming to an end, with great sacrifices and major challenges remaining. We would like to thank the many citizens who have cooperated with us in changing our behavior through their individual efforts during this time. Thanks to everyone's efforts, we were able to achieve this goal.
However, even though the state of emergency has been lifted, this does not mean that the new coronavirus has disappeared, and no vaccine or specific drug has been developed at this time.
In its ``Situation Analysis and Recommendations for Countermeasures against the Novel Coronavirus Infection'', the government's expert panel stated that even if the state of emergency is lifted, it will be a long process to respond to the infectious disease, so ``maintaining physical distancing'' is recommended.・While continuing to take basic measures such as wearing masks and washing hands, we are required to practice a ``new lifestyle.''
In the "Roadmap" announced by the Governor of Tokyo on May 22, 2020, a "new normal" has been established for the time being while striving to "balance infectious disease prevention and economic and social activities." It shows the need to realize society.
Both the national and Tokyo metropolitan areas are taking a cautious stance in anticipation of a second wave of the new coronavirus infection.
On the other hand, the world is still seeing signs of resuming economic activity as the pandemic has not yet come to an end. )”, there is an opinion that it is necessary to respond to this. The traditional "normal state" in which the movement of people is the source of economic activity and the density of activity leads to productivity no longer applies during the coronavirus pandemic.
For the time being, we must consider how to stimulate economic activity while limiting contact between people, and how to satisfy these contradictory factors. Further advances in IT and automation through robotics and other technologies will become inevitable.
The city is proceeding with the reopening of public facilities, businesses, and events in stages based on the draft plan discussed at the 8th meeting of the Novel Coronavirus Infectious Disease Control Headquarters.
At the time of writing this manuscript at the end of May 2020, nursery schools and after-school clubs will resume normal operations from June 1, 2020, and elementary and junior high schools will gradually resume classes from the same day.
Even after the state of emergency is lifted, the city will continue to implement infectious disease prevention measures and emergency economic measures. We will continue to do our best until the day when everyone can live their lives with smiles again, so we ask for your understanding and cooperation.