Lift of Intensive Infection Prevention Measures and Measures Moving Forward (Excerpt; as of 10/11/2021)

The following is from Hiroshima Prefecture:

On October 11, 2021, the Prefecture held a press conference. As infections are deemed to be at Level 1 and it is expected that, moving forward, numbers will be stably below the warning threshold of 4.0, Intensive Infection Prevention Measures (hereafter “measures”) will be lifted as of October 14, 2021.

State of Infections

The rapid spread of infections that began in the latter half of July is finally coming to an end. We were able to achieve this steady reduction in cases thanks to the businesses and prefectural citizens who have continued to carry out infection prevention measures even after the end of State of Emergency. We would like to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of our hearts; thank you for your cooperation.

Lift of Measures

Regarding the reduction in cases, we have continued to carry out simulations and carefully analyze the situation, including factoring in elements such as, for example, the impact of the long holiday in September. While there were concerns over the impact of the September three-day holiday, they did not manifest, and the number of new patients per 100,000 for the latest week was very close to our simulated numbers. On October 10, the numbers were below Hiroshima Prefecture’s own warning threshold of 4.0. As it has been deemed that the current state of infections is at Level 1 and it is expected that, moving forward, numbers will be stably below the warning threshold of 4.0, measures will be lifted as planned on October 14, 2021.

Formal Requests Following the Lift of Measures

With the lift of measures, the following formal requests will be lifted and/or eased:

• Formal request to all prefectural citizens to reduce outings by half and reduce the number of employees in office shall be lifted.
• Criteria for events shall be eased.
• Shortened hours of operation for dining establishments as well as time restrictions for provision of alcohol for two cities and two towns in the prefecture shall be lifted.
• Shortened hours (to 9 pm) for attractions and facilities shall also be lifted.

We sincerely thank all business owners, including those in Intensive Prevention Measures Priority Areas, for their cooperation with formal requests for the duration of the measures. We would also like to thank our prefectural citizens for carrying out measures to stop the spread of infection. Regarding Active Guard Gold establishments, we have received an overwhelming amount of applications for certification and many establishments are still waiting to receive their Gold certification. However, we will continue to accept applications as needed after measures have been lifted.

Moving forward, the Prefecture will continue to recommend the use of certified dining establishments, so we hope that establishments will gain their certification and promote the fact that their establishments have proper measures in place. In addition, we will soon be announcing the details of discount travel plans for prefectural citizens once preparation is complete.

Basic Policy Moving Forward

The prefectural government will continue to make every effort to trace and quarantine new patients through proactive surveys. But, at the same time, the measures carried out and actions taken by our prefectural citizens have a huge impact on the spread of infection.

Vaccinations are proceeding and we are beginning to see its effects; however, for the foreseeable future, we will continue to thoroughly adhere to infection prevention measures to maintain a low level of infections. During this time, we will work to raise the vaccination rate and increase its effects. By not allowing infection to spread, or by keeping infections as low as possible with as little spread as possible, we will be able to maintain a prolonged state where activity restrictions are not necessary.

Regarding vaccination rates, we must work to raise the rates across all age groups. In particular, we are currently discussing measures and policies to promote vaccination in the younger generation.

Formal Requests to Prefectural Citizens

Based on the information provided thus far, we make the following formal request to our prefectural citizens: please continue to thoroughly adhere to infection prevention measures.

Specifically, we ask that citizens carry out basic infection prevention measures, such as wearing masks and hand washing. As there is a high risk of infection in situations where masks are removed, we ask that, when dining out, citizens choose establishments with infection prevention measures in place, such as Active Guard Gold certified establishments, and enjoy themselves in moderation.

As cold season approaches, we ask that citizens proactively see doctors/get tested if they are concerned about their health or think they may have COVID-19.

We also ask that citizens continue to make careful decisions about traveling to/from regions with high levels of infection. Please also be proactive about getting vaccinated. We urge the younger generation in particular to cooperate with this request as they have the lowest vaccination rates among age groups.