Message by Governor Kuroiwa(英語)

Message by Governor Kuroiwa 

In response to the extension of the period of priority measures against COVID-19 infection to August 22, Kanagawa Prefectural Government (K.P.G.) made requests to eating and drinking establishments in cities of Yokohama, Kawasaki, Sagamihara and Atsugi to suspend providing alcohol, etc. from this week, excluding establishments certified as the one recommending mask wearing.

However, the number of new cases rapidly increased in the past few days exceeding the level of Stage IV, a criterion for declaring a state of emergency, on July 14.  It reached as large as 446 today.

This infection surge is considered to have been spurred by an increase in people going out and moving around as well as more contagious Delta variant.  The infection is spreading at a very fast pace equivalent to that of early this year when a state of emergency was declared.  If this situation continues, we may face shortages of hospital beds by the end of this month.

I cannot help but say that Kanagawa Prefecture has now entered in a state of emergency.

Against this backdrop, we issue the “state of emergency declaration Kanagawa version” today.  From July 22, we will make the strictest responses possible in the priority measures presently applied, which will be the same level as the anti-virus measures implemented by Tokyo in the state of emergency declaration.

In addition, we will make a request to the national government to apply the state of emergency declaration based on the Act on Special Measures depending on the future infection situation in Kanagawa.

It’s hard for me to impose further burden on you, however, in the face of this emergency, let me make the following requests to contain moving of people.

[To business operators]

• From July 22, the priority measures against COVID-19 infection are applied to all the cities and towns in Kanagawa.  Eating and drinking establishments in these municipalities are requested to shorten business hours and operate between 5:00 to 20:00.  They are also requested to suspend serving alcohol all day, including restaurants certified as the one recommending mask wearing.
• Establishments that follow this request will be granted cooperation money promptly.  We will start accepting applications for the advanced payment.
• We will consider incentive measures, such as exempting certified establishments from alcohol serving restriction if the situation improves.  So, please apply for the certification of restaurants recommending mask wearing.

[To prefectural citizens]

• I would like to ask you all to have a sense of crisis, recognizing that Kanagawa Prefecture is in the midst of an emergency.  Thoroughly implement basic anti-infection measures of M-A-S-K and avoid outings unless it is necessary to maintain living. 
• Four-day weekend will start from July 22 to coincide with the opening of the Olympic Games.  The season of summer vacation is starting and obon holidays drawing near, movement of people tends to be more active in this time of the year.  However, please refrain from traveling beyond the prefectural borders, including visiting your hometown this year. 
• Enjoy watching the Olympic Games at home with your family members.  Do not get together at a sports bar or your friend’s home for watching.  Send your hearty cheers from home.

We have to prevent collapse of medical care system whatever it takes, until all citizens wishing for vaccination are inoculated.   

K.P.G. swiftly transfers to Phase 4, where we work for securing the maximum number of hospital beds to ensure the stable medical care provision system. 

I would like to ask you to make a united effort in preventing spread of infection so that we can put an end to this emergency as soon as possible. 

Your continued understanding and cooperation would be highly appreciated.

 

July 16, 2021
KUROIWA Yuji
Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture