Even following the downgrade of COVID-19 to a Category 5 infectious disease, follow cautious infection control measures (Excerpt) | GIC Information

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Even following the downgrade of COVID-19 to a Category 5 infectious disease, follow cautious infection control measures (Excerpt)

(2023.05.09)

April 28^th 2023

Gifu Prefectural Taskforce for Preventing the Spread of COVID-19

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From May 8^th, COVID-19 will be ranked as a Category 5 infectious disease, the same rank as seasonal influenza. As a result, various requests introduced under the special measures law will come to an end.

However, the following remain unchanged in regard to COVID-19:

・COVID-19 is highly transmissible and under the right conditions, infection can spread rapidly.

・The elderly and those with underlying health conditions have a higher risk of serious illness.

・Even those who are asymptomatic may suffer from long Covid.

In view of these circumstances, a document outlining preventative measures following the downgrade of COVID-19 to Category 5 (from May 8^th) is attached, and we hereby request that all prefectural residents continue to follow cautious infection control measures.

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Attachment　

Preventative measures following the downgrade of COVID-19 to Category 5 (from May 8^th)

〇 Frequently washing and disinfecting hands, and regularly ventilating indoor spaces is recommended.

〇 Wearing a mask in situations where is it effective is recommended, while respecting the independent choice of individuals, and leaving the decision of whether or not to wear a mask to the individual's own discretion.

【Situations where wearing a mask is effective】

・When having a medical examination.

・When visiting a medical institution, a facility for the elderly, or a facility for those with disabilities.

・During the workday if you work at a medical institution, a facility for the elderly, or a facility for those with disabilities.

・When using crowded public transportation such as trains and buses.

・When going to crowded places if you have a high risk of serious illness. (People aged 65 and over, people with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, etc.)

〇 There is no legal requirement to refrain from going out, so individual decisions can be made by referring to the following:

【When it is recommended to refrain from going out】

・It is recommended to refrain from going out for 5 days, with the day symptoms began as day 0.

・In addition, if symptoms are still present on day 5, it is recommended to refrain from going out until 24 hours after symptoms have improved, and to continue to monitor your health.

【Consideration for those around you】

・Until 10 days have passed since the onset of symptoms, take care not to spread COVID-19 to others, for example by wearing a non-woven mask and avoiding coming into contact with those with a high risk of serious illness, such as the elderly.

【Regarding close contacts】

・There are no recommendations regarding both identifying close contacts and close contacts voluntarily refraining from going out.