TOKYO, Feb. 11, 2023—In an abrupt haste, the Japanese government will lift its three-year-long COVID-19 national mask mandate on March 13, telling its people to exercise discretion on whether to keep it on in trains, public places, medical facilities and other locations of high infection possibilities. Why the rush is easy to trace to: In May, Japan will host the annual G7 summit in Hiroshima (https://www.g7hiroshima.go.jp/en/), and the government is feeling the heat to prepare for it. Hence, the total disregard of coordination with local governments, industry lobbies and consumers.
But the question is whether the Japanese, who are less resistant to wearing masks than other peoples and have arbitrarily found it comfortable wearing, would comply with the government decision. Schools are scheduled to hold graduation ceremonies in March, more than half of grade to high schools after mid-March and reportedly are planning to require students wear masks.
The health minister, Mr. Hagiuda, told reporters Feb. 10 that whether not to wear a mask will be entrusted to each individuals’ discretion. The ministry’s policy at the same time urges people to wear a mask when seeing doctors; medical and nursing facility workers to wear; people to wear a mask in crowded trains but not aboard express trains with reserved seats, as well as in private homes where family members are infected. Masks won’t be necessary in hotels, retail stores as long as appropriate anti-virus steps are taken. What about arenas, ball parks? The policy didn’t have recommendations.
Confusing? I am confused. Mandate should be lifted altogether.
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