Abe Urges Avoiding Poorly Ventilated and Crowded Spaces Like Sports Centers and Buffets

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press conference on COVID-19 measures at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Tokyo on the 29th of last month. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appealed to the Japanese public to avoid gathering in crowded places such as sightseeing boats, sports centers, and buffet restaurants.

Earlier, Prime Minister Abe had also requested the temporary closure of all elementary, junior high, high schools, and special support schools nationwide in Japan due to concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to the Asahi Shimbun on the 2nd, at a COVID-19 government task force meeting held the previous afternoon, Prime Minister Abe said, "There is a risk of infection spreading in poorly ventilated, crowded places where many unspecified people come into contact," and urged the Japanese public to "avoid gathering collectively in such spaces."

According to the media, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's expert team investigated close contacts of 110 domestic COVID-19 patients in Japan, including 10 confirmed cluster infections as of the 26th of last month.

Experts confirmed that cluster infections occurred in small sightseeing boats, sports centers, buffet-style restaurants, ski resort guesthouses, and other narrow and enclosed spaces.

On the other hand, 73 people, accounting for 75.5% of domestic COVID-19 patients in Japan, were confirmed not to have infected others as of the investigation date.

On the morning of the 19th of last month, 13 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection were confirmed on the cruise ship "Diamond Princess," which was docked at Daikoku Pier in Yokohama Port. / Photo by Yonhap News

Based on these investigation results, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare judged that it is important to prevent multiple people from gathering in closed spaces to stop cluster infections of COVID-19.

In this regard, Prime Minister Abe requested, "Regardless of the size of the event, do not create spaces without ventilation," and "Please try to avoid environments where people talk at close distances as much as possible."

On the 27th of last month, Prime Minister Abe requested the full closure of all elementary, junior high, high schools, and special support schools nationwide. At a press conference on the 29th, he emphasized the active cooperation of the public, saying, "Above all, the safety of children is the most important decision I have made," and "To fight an unknown enemy (COVID-19), the government alone cannot win."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.