'Europe in Fear of "Movement Restrictions and School Closures," Japan Contemplates "State of Emergency"'

COVID-19 Emergency Alert

Unlike South Korea and China Entering a Stabilization Phase, the World Staggers Amid 'Shock'
Early Release of Prisoners in Iran as Confirmed Cases and Deaths Surge

[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Dae-yeol, Cho Hyun-ui, Jeong Hyeon-jin] As confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) surged, the Italian government issued a nationwide travel restriction order starting on the 10th (local time). This expanded the measures previously imposed on the northern region, where cases were concentrated, on the 8th to the entire country. In Iran, where confirmed cases and deaths have sharply increased, prisoners are being released earlier than originally scheduled to reduce concerns about mass infections within prisons. The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged that the threat of a pandemic has become a reality. While the COVID-19 situation in South Korea and China has entered a stabilization phase, the entire world is staggering under the COVID-19 shock.

Expansion of Travel Restrictions and School Closures... Emergency in Western Europe
Italy Registers Over 1,000 New Cases for Three Consecutive Days, Designates Nationwide 'Red Zone'

According to AP News and others, the Italian government announced that the nationwide travel restriction order, effective from today, will be maintained until April 3. Previously, the Lombardy region and other northern areas were designated as 'Red Zones' with restricted movement, but this was expanded nationwide in just one day. As a result, all citizens are prohibited from traveling outside their residential areas except for work, health, or other essential reasons. The nationwide school closure order, initially set until mid-March, has been extended until next month. Restaurants and cafes must close in the evening, and all cultural and public facilities nationwide are closed. All sports events, including the Serie A professional football league, have been suspended. Serie A had been held without spectators, but now even that has been banned. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte stated, "We are facing a national emergency."

According to Italian health authorities, the cumulative number of COVID-19 confirmed cases reached 9,172 (as of 6 p.m. on the 9th), an increase of 1,797 from the previous day. This marks over 1,000 new cases for three consecutive days, making Italy the second highest after China. Deaths reached 463, also the second highest. Italy had taken strict measures early on, such as banning travelers from China?the first in Europe to do so?after cases increased in China, but since community transmission was confirmed on February 21, cases have rapidly increased. The fatality rate (5.04%) is relatively high due to many elderly patients and those with underlying conditions.

Medical staff wearing protective suits are treating severe COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit of Cremona Hospital in northern Italy on the 5th (local time). <이미지:Yonhap News>

In Spain, where confirmed cases exceeded 1,000, the school closure order in the capital Madrid, initially scheduled until the 11th, was extended for two weeks. Companies are considering reducing working hours and expanding telecommuting, while the general public is urged to refrain from traveling. Spain reported 1,204 confirmed cases, with 200 new cases confirmed within half a day. Approximately half of all cases, 578, were reported in Madrid. Spanish health authorities plan to announce additional measures soon after monitoring the trend of new cases.

Japan Passes Bill Allowing Prime Minister to Declare Emergency and Designate Areas
Establishes Legal Basis for Emergency Declarations

The Japanese government also established legal requirements to declare a 'state of emergency' to curb the spread of COVID-19. According to NHK, the Japanese cabinet passed a bill allowing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to declare a 'state of emergency' and request local governments to ask residents to refrain from going out or to close schools. The bill passed is an amendment to the 'Special Measures Act on New Influenza Countermeasures' enacted in 2012. It allows the prime minister to declare a state of emergency and designate the period and areas for emergency measures if an infectious disease spreads rapidly nationwide and seriously affects citizens' lives and the economy. NHK reported that after deliberation in the House of Representatives on the 11th and passage in the House of Councillors on the 13th, the law will be fully enforced starting on the 14th.

In Iran, which accounts for most COVID-19 cases in the Middle East, the annual New Year's speech by the Supreme Leader scheduled for the 20th was canceled to prevent further spread. Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei has traditionally delivered a public speech on national governance in Mashhad every year at the start of the new year (based on the Iranian calendar's vernal equinox).

A man wearing a mask is passing through an intersection in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan, where promotional materials for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games were installed on the afternoon of the 9th. There are concerns both inside and outside Japan that if the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) does not end soon, the hosting of the Olympics this summer could be disrupted. <이미지:Yonhap News>

As of now, Iran has confirmed 7,161 cases and 237 deaths. The Israeli government has expanded entry restrictions, previously applied to travelers from China, South Korea, Japan, and Italy, to all international arrivals. From the 9th, all inbound travelers, both citizens and foreigners, must undergo 14 days of self-quarantine. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "It is a difficult decision, but necessary to maintain public health."

Given the symbolic significance of the WHO's 'pandemic declaration,' there is growing interest in whether global travel and trade restrictions will be implemented. The WHO declared a pandemic during the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak but faced criticism for unnecessarily raising alarm. Even if the WHO raises the crisis alert to the highest level by determining that a specific infectious disease is a global pandemic, it can only issue recommendations regarding travel and trade restrictions and cannot enforce them.

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