Message from the Mayor Regarding COVID-19 Countermeasures (as of 4/15/2020)

The concerns over the spread of COVID-19 have manifested nationally and at home: a state of emergency has been declared for seven metropolitan areas/prefectures, including Tokyo, based on the Special Measures Against Novel Strains of Influenza Act, and right here in Hiroshima Prefecture, a state of warning for the spread of COVID-19 has been declared, which includes asking citizens to avoid unnecessary outings during the weekdays as well as weekends.

Infections are on the rise in Hiroshima City, and just yesterday, we had our very first cluster outbreak. Now more than ever, we are committed to enforcing even stronger policies to combat the spread of the virus.

The City of Hiroshima has asked you, her citizens, to avoid unnecessary trips to the seven areas under state of emergency, to frequently wash your hands and practice proper coughing etiquette, to avoid the 3Cs (closed spaces, crowded places, close-contact settings), and to take the necessary precautions to protect your health. In addition, we have implemented measures to lower the risk of infection, such as canceling city-organized events and closing the doors to city facilities. Beginning today, all municipal schools have been closed.

In addition to these measures, we will now work to strengthen measures which lower person-to-person contact so that we may stop the spread of infection.

More specifically, in regards to city facilities such as community halls and sports centers which have continued to operate until today: all indoor facilities (barring those with outstanding circumstances) shall be closed from 4/17 to 5/17.

I also ask once again for each and every one of you to avoid all unnecessary outings not just on the weekends, but on the weekdays as well for the time being. This measure is crucial, and it is for the sake of stopping the spread of infection before it goes any further. I know that it will not be easy, but I ask for your full cooperation.

Regarding nursery schools and certified child care centers: we will keep them open for the sake of those who need to use them, and they will adhere to strict infection prevention measures. However, for the period between 4/17 to 5/6, I ask that parents/guardians work with their employers to secure time off to watch their children at home and avoid using these services as much as possible.

City Hall will be implementing a number of measures to reduce the daily number of employees in the building to prevent the spread of infection while still maintaining the services necessary for our citizens. These measures include staggering work hours by as much as six hours, proactively shifting working weekdays to weekends, and expanding those eligible for working from home. We will also be working to promote working in separate spaces through making use of empty space in City Hall and securing satellite offices.

I would like to ask local businesses to also implement similar measures to reduce person-to-person contact: proactively introduce systems to allow working from home, stagger working hours, and implement flexible leave plans.

Traveling between prefectures and metropolitan areas, be it through job transfers, for new hires, or business trips, has been a major cause of the spread of COVID-19. Local business owners: encourage your employees traveling between these areas to be aware of their health and the health of their families, and if your employees are unwell, be sure they take the appropriate measures: take time off immediately and self-isolate.

I ask for your cooperation in switching from dining out to takeaway or delivery options when you are out buying essentials. Proactively making this switch will not only help business owners currently facing profit losses, but will also help you to avoid the 3Cs. The City of Hiroshima is working to quickly implement measures which are focused on actions that our citizens can take right now, and we ask for your help in carrying these out.

Health care professionals and experts, businesses, and citizens, once again, I ask you to continue to work to fight the spread of COVID-19. Together, we shall overcome these trying times.

April 15, 2020

MATSUI Kazumi
Mayor
The City of Hiroshima