A message from the Governor of Iwate about COVID-19 (May 7th)

 A message to Iwate residents

 The number of new infection cases has spiked in Iwate since late April. As of today, May 7, we have had 12.0 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the last week. This is due to multiple cluster cases occurring in social welfare facilities and other places. Therefore, stricter safety measures will need to be taken to prevent further spread in these places.

 On the other hand, certain situations have been confirmed to be the cause of new infection cases, such as business meetings or business meals with clients visiting from different regions, especially from areas with widespread infections; while conversing in work break rooms; and others. 

 Therefore, we must be extra careful that these new cases will not lead to another large-scale cluster case in social welfare facilities and other places.

 As it seems more likely that the state of emergency will be extended until the end of May, it is essential that we will need to implement more measures to prevent the nationwide spread of the virus.

 Once again, in order to prevent an increase of daily new cases, I would like all residents and visitors to be more vigilant in following basic safety measures, such as frequently washing your hands with soap and always wearing your masks. Please also avoid any social gathering that is at risk of the “Three C”’s overlapping, even if it only fits one or two of the criteria (closed spaces, crowded places, close-contact settings).

 As I’ve mentioned in the past, please continue to refrain from traveling to areas declared in the state of emergency, or manbo (stricter control and containment) designated areas, for non-essential and non-urgent reasons (ex. going home or leisure travel); or please make careful considerations when traveling to regions with widespread infections and with stay-at-home measures.

 If you are visiting Iwate from another prefecture with official safety measures to stay-at-home, etc., please also follow those measures your first two weeks here.

 Thank you very much.