[From the Hiroshima Prefectural Government] Facilities Under Usage Restrictions and Measures Moving Forward (as of 5/5/2020)

The following is from the State of Emergency Measures in Hiroshima Prefecture for Stopping the Spread of COVID-19 (updated May 5). Please refer to the Primary Measures for Each Phase of Stopping the Spread of COVID-19 for information about the levels listed below.

Basic Philosophy

In order to request strict changes in actions and behaviors, the current requests for temporary closures in place must continue until Level 1 is reached. However, based on decisions which take into account the following two factors, we will lift restrictions in phases:

1) Social necessity (Does the facility play a part in maintaining physical/psychological health? Are there educational benefits? Can it be replaced by other facilities, etc?)

2) Risk of infection (How much close contact is there between people (such as amount of time spent together and distance between people)? Is it possible to trace close contact should it occur? How much close contact activity is there? How much risk is there of the 3Cs? Does the facility foster/encourage visitors from other prefectures?)

Timeframe

At the current rate of infection, we estimate that Hiroshima Prefecture will enter Level 3 on May 11. In order to reach Level 1 by June 1 (the date at which is it estimated the State of Emergency will be lifted), we aim to reach Level 2 by implementing testing and person-to-person contact restrictions. We will also be lifting restrictions based on level.

List of Facilities and Level Restriction Lifts

University/Cram Schools (Juku)/Classes

The restriction lifts for the following will be decided upon based on the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT): universities, vocational schools, upper secondary specialized training schools, medical training facilities, specialized training schools, other schools, Japanese language schools, foreign language schools, international schools.

Exercise/Recreational Facilities

Theaters

Meeting Halls/Exhibit Facilities

Museums

Business Facilities

Entertainment facilities

Food Industry

We will employ the following measures in phases for restaurants (including izakaya; excluding delivery/takeaway), cafes, Japanese confectionaries/western confectionaries, etc:

• Easing/lift of mandated shortened hours of operations
• Lift of mandated shortened hours of alcohol sales

Level 3

Easing of mandated shortened hours of operations

• Before: businesses may operate from 5 am to 8 pm
• After: businesses may operate from 5 am to 9 pm

Alcohol sales:

• Before: businesses may sell alcohol until 7 pm
• After: No changes (business may still only sell alcohol until 7 pm)

Level 2

Lift of mandated shortened hours of operations

• Before: businesses may operate from 5 am to 9 pm
• After: businesses may operate their usual hours (however, the sales of alcohol will still be limited to until 7 pm)

Level 1

Lift of mandated shortened hours of alcohol sales

• Before: businesses may sell alcohol until 7 pm
• After: businesses may sell alcohol during their regular hours

Events

For relatively small events (no more than 50 people at most), we will gradually lift restrictions while implementing the following infection prevention measures:

1. Create an environment where the 3Cs do not occur
2. Create an environment in which using loud voices, singing, cheering, and close conversations do not occur
3. Implement the appropriate measures to prevent infection: place restrictions on the number of participants and use social distancing guidance, set up hand sanitizing stations, wear masks, ventilate indoor areas, etc

Level 3

Relatively small outdoor events

Level 2

Relatively small indoor/outdoor events