Message from the Mayor Regarding COVID-19 Prevention Measures Over New Year Holidays (as of 12/18/2020)

Since December, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Hiroshima City has increased rapidly and dramatically, with a high of 97 new cases announced yesterday (12/17), which outnumbers new cases in Tokyo, Sapporo, and Osaka per 100,000 people. As the number of patients deemed positive but do not receive treatment are on the rise, together with strengthening our medical care system through measures such as using the Senda-machi Afterhours Emergency Medical Center, we currently have Health Center staff checking on the health of COVID-19 patients who are under quarantine at home.

Additionally, yesterday a cluster outbreak occurred at the Hiroshima Citizens Hospital, which has caused the hospital to stop accepting emergency medical patients (with the exception of pregnant women in the perinatal period). If COVID-19 patients continue to rise at the current rate and clusters occur at medical institutions, there is a risk that our regular medical care system (for non-COVID patients) may collapse entirely.

In order to put a stop to this emergent crisis, it is necessary to take measures which put priority on stopping the spread of infection in cooperation with the prefecture. Thus, in order to reduce the risk of infection and person-to-person contact in places where large numbers of people gather, we have cancelled or postponed city-organized events (etc), and have closed city-managed facilities where large numbers of people are expected to gather.

To our citizens, I continue to ask that in addition to basic infection prevention measures, such as wearing masks, frequent hand washing, and avoiding the 3Cs, you reduce outings in order to reduce person-to-person contact.

To reduce the number of those in the office during weekdays for positions which do not deal directly with citizens at the ward office or at Hiroshima City Hall, we have implemented staggered hours (six hour difference at max) and working rotations that include weekends, promoted employees to use vacation time, and expanded our work from home initiatives. I have also called for city employees to recognize that, as they come into contact with many of our citizens, they must be even more careful than the average citizen to avoid infection.

I also ask that business owners also devise their own solutions when it comes to work policies, such as staggered hours, taking vacation days, and work from home.

The end of the year is approaching, and with it, the New Year holidays, a special time where family and friends gather together. However, in order to put a stop to the emergent crisis and welcome in a safe new year, I ask our citizens for their strict adherence to infection prevention measures, and for businesses to create an environment where these measures are in place.

Citizens and business owners, I ask for your continued cooperation in our fight against COVID-19.

December 18, 2020
MATSUI Kazumi
Mayor
The City of Hiroshima