Japan PM vows to downgrade categorisation in spring
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged yesterday to downgrade the legal status of Covid19 this spring to a Class 5 disease, the same level as seasonal influenza, a move that would lead to a major shift in the pandemic restrictions of the past three years.
In Japan, Covid-19 is currently categorised as Class 2, the same status as tuberculosis and severe acute respiratory syndrome or Sars, and is subject to extensive measures, such as limitations on the movements of infected people and their close contacts.
The possible downgrade would mark a big turning point toward the normalisation of social and economic activities in the country, and would probably result in foreigners being able to enter Japan without PCR tests or quarantine.
After instructing relevant ministers to promote preparations for the reclassification in the spring, Mr Kishida told reporters that his administration will also review the rules on the wearing of face masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Mr Kishida said the government will “gradually” change the measures in place to deal with the pandemic so Japan can return to normal, indicating that medical and financial support covered by taxpayers’ money could be trimmed.
But the prime minister added the government would continue its vaccination programme.
Following the announcement, Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki told a news conference that his ministry would consider reallocating public funds to health care.
Mr Kishida did not provide an exact date for the lowering of the classification, saying only that the government intends to determine the timing “as soon as possible”. It is expected to decide on the schedule after consulting with health ministry experts.
By downgrading the legal status to Class 5 under the infectious disease law, the quarantine period of seven days for people infected with the virus and of five days for people who have been in close contact with a Covid-19 patient would be scrapped.
The government would also stop paying the medical costs for treating and hospitalising infectious patients.