1. COVID-19 Response

First, I would like to speak about our response to COVID-19.
May I begin by extending my deepest sympathies to those who lost their loved ones to the virus and also my deepest respect to the people and businesses of Tokyo who are striving diligently even amid the dire situation presented by the pandemic. And, I would like to again express my deep appreciation to everyone for their cooperation in preventing the spread of infection and to the health care providers who are battling the virus both day and night.

With a strong conviction to protect lives and livelihoods from the threat of the Omicron variant, we will take preemptive steps under the policy of “stop the virus, keep society going.” The Omicron variant is extremely transmissible and spreads rapidly. As this is truly a matter of speed, we will continue to quickly and strategically implement measures that consider its characteristics. We will confront this powerful enemy on a total war footing that combines “offense” and “defense.”

Protecting the lives and livelihoods of Tokyo’s citizens

Strengthening and improving the health care delivery system

Regarding the health care delivery system, which is the cornerstone of "defense," we have established an emergency system to respond to the spread of infection, and along with building a system for hospital admission, stay at designated hotels, and recovery at home, to ensure proper response depending on symptoms and other conditions, we will also take preemptive measures based on infection trends. In addition to measures such as establishment of recovery facilities for patients with mild or no symptoms, the opening of "Uchisapo Tokyo," a support center to respond to the issues of those recovering at home, and improvement of the testing system, starting this week we will begin setting up temporary medical facilities and expand the admission of elderly people and concerned pregnant women. Through initiatives on multiple levels, we will surge ahead with the development of an environment in which all people can feel secure.

Bolstering response for the elderly and children

We must now focus our efforts on protecting the elderly and children—age groups where infection rates are on the rise. We will prevent patients from developing severe symptoms by not only increasing house calls on senior care facilities and ensuring a system to administer neutralizing antibodies and oral medicines at an early stage, but also operating vaccination buses to strongly promote booster shots. Regarding facilities that are facing difficulties in continuing operations due to staff members becoming infected or other such reasons, we will establish a new support system in which temporary staff are sent to help provide peace of mind to the elderly.

Measures will also be strengthened at schools and daycare facilities for children. In addition to conducting regular and intensive testing of teachers, childcare workers, and other related personnel, schools will promote hybrid classes with staggered attendance and online classes for a balance between learning and infection prevention. As for daycare centers, while providing support to secure the staff needed to continue operations, if a daycare center is closed, we will also support the municipalities in accepting children at community centers and other facilities. In this way, we will devote ourselves to efforts to keep society going.

Accelerating booster shots

Meanwhile, we will also work to have more people receive their third dose of the vaccine, which is a weapon of our “offense” strategy. This is an important initiative from the perspective of protecting lives and keeping up our daily activities. Following the vaccination of health care workers, this month we began vaccinating essential workers, including those in education and welfare, at mass vaccination sites operated by Tokyo. We will spur on vaccinations such as by continuing to work in cooperation with business associations for the vaccinations of employees of small and medium-sized enterprises.

For the steady implementation of such efforts as well, we are requesting the national government for the early securement and stable supply of sets containing the four items of test kit, vaccine, oral drug, and neutralizing antibody drug. In particular, with regard to oral drugs, which will be an effective weapon, in order to ensure a prompt and stable supply, we are providing cooperation in the clinical trial of a domestic therapeutic agent for faster approval and use in Japan.

Back to normal as soon as possible

The effects of our measures and citizen efforts are steadily appearing with the number of people staying out at night in Tokyo and the effective reproduction number of the virus on a decreasing trend. I would like to ask for the continued understanding and cooperation of all the people and businesses in Tokyo in thoroughly implementing basic infection prevention measures, as well as further promoting remote work and reviewing business continuity plans. By promoting effective measures based on our experiences up to now and mobilizing all means possible, we will, as soon as possible, restore daily life in Tokyo to one that is full of energy and vitality.