A message from the Governor of Iwate about COVID-19 (April 28th)

A message from Governor Tasso during the 55th meeting of the Iwate Prefecture

COVID-19 Countermeasures HQ (April 28th)

Within Iwate Prefecture, case numbers have been continually seesawing back and forth, with a decrease in cases seen last week, and an increase in cases this week.

Spread of infection in the prefecture is prominent in nursery schools and kindergartens, as well as related infections within households, workplaces and club activities.

Many workplaces, schools and kindergartens will be closed during Golden Week. There will also be fewer children attending nursery schools. Let’s use this coming Golden Week to reinforce the infection prevention measures within households and stop the chain of infection.

On the other hand, we are seeing an increase in infection from increased human interactions as a result of tourism and people returning home. We are concerned that there will be a further increase in infection from tomorrow, the beginning of Golden Week.

There will be an increase in human interactions outside of one’s regular circle as a result of returning home or visiting relatives. Please be thorough in your infection prevention measures depending on the situation, such as wearing masks when conversing, and using separate pair of chopsticks when eating at a barbeque or sharing food.

When going to restaurants, using those that have been approved by the “Iwate Restaurant Safe Practices Certification System” is recommended.

When travelling outside of the prefecture, please travel carefully and understand the infection situation and restrictions of your destination.

No matter if you are within or outside of the prefecture, please avoid going to crowded areas or areas where the risk of infection is high.

Let’s decrease the risk of infection when returning back home, travelling or attending events by getting vaccinated and proactively getting tested.

If you would like to get vaccinated in order to prevent serious infection and decrease the number of infections, please get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Together, as the citizens of Iwate, let’s enforce the basic prevention control measures.