Governor Tamaki talks about main points of economic reopening project, outlines Okinawa’s pandemic response measures asking business to stay closed with the extension of the state of emergency

Governor Tamaki talks about main points of economic reopening project, outlines Okinawa’s pandemic response measures asking business to stay closed with the extension of the state of emergency

Governor Denny Tamaki answering questions from reporters – September 9, at the Okinawa Prefectural Office


September 10, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki held a conference at the Okinawa Prefectural Office September 9, where he announced Okinawa’s policy measures for dealing with the COVID-19 state of emergency, which was extended to the end of September. Tamaki explained that Okinawa was past the peak of the current wave of cases, however the healthcare system was still under a lot of stress and continues to restrict outpatient care. He asked the people of Okinawa to spend the end-of-September Silver Week holiday with only members of their household, and to avoid participating in any events. Meanwhile, he also unveiled the three main points of the project to reopen the economy when the time comes.

The Japanese government’s announced that the Novel Coronavirus Response Headquarters decided that the state of emergency, currently in place for 21 prefectures, would be extended for 19 prefectures including Tokyo, Osaka, and Okinawa from September 12-30.

Along with the announcement of the extension, Okinawa similarly announced that they will be extending measure such as asking major business to remain closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays, closing prefectural offices, requiring restaurants to reduce opening hours and not serve alcohol, asking people to refrain from going out except for necessities, and to refrain from travelling outsides of the prefecture or to other islands.

Prefectural schools will have dispersed attendance through the end of the month based on the level of infections in each region. Club activities will be limited to national and major prefectural competitions, and that clubs will be able to practice after obtaining permission from the principal for two weeks leading up to the competition under certain conditions.

For the project to re-open the economy, the prefecture is assembling a team to investigate how to implement vaccine and negative test result passports. Additionally, they are kicking off a “Protect the children project” and “vaccine promotion and expansion project,” in cooperation with requests to prioritize vaccines for teachers who request them and for students.

Regarding the vaccine passports, Tamaki indicated, “We want to look into an analog solution before turning to a digital one,” and are looking into paper vaccination passports.

Okinawa indicated their goal for reopening the economy would come when new cases fall below 200 per day, an independent goal set by the prefecture, however the Japanese government has indicated they are now treating the improvement of healthcare availability as of utmost importance. Governor Tamaki commented, “I think it is necessary for the prefecture’s targets and the country’s standards for easing restrictions be consistent.”

 

(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

 

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