Message by Governor Kuroiwa(英語)

Message by Governor Kuroiwa

The number of new cases of COVID-19 infection in Kanagawa has been on the decline since January, and shortage of medical resources has been eased. I would like to express my deep gratitude to you for your cooperation in practicing infection prevention measures in daily life.

On February 10, the national government announced its new guidelines on mask wearing. The new guidelines will allow individuals to judge when to wear a mask by themselves from March 13. So, please decide whether you will wear a mask or not by yourself.  You are also requested not to urge others to put on or off a mask.

However, we ask you to always wear a mask when visiting a medical institution for seeing a doctor or inpatient and home for the elderly, etc. to prevent transmission of the virus to people who may develop severe symptoms. You are also advised to wear a mask in the crowded train or bus.

We will continue the program to provide a certificate to restaurants that recommend customers to put on a mask, by eliminating the item regarding mask wearing in mealtime conversations from the requirements and changing the program name from March 13.

Schools will not request students to wear a mask from April 1. Prior to this, we notified schools not to ask graduating students to put on a mask through the graduation ceremony.

The novel coronavirus has not disappeared completely. So, please continue basic anti-virus measures, such as washing and disinfecting hands, conducting ventilation, etc.

The end of our fight against COVID-19 has finally come in sight after three years. I ask for your continued understanding and cooperation for the post-pandemic society where we can live normally even though the virus is still with us.

 

February 20, 2023
KUROIWA Yuji
Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture