政府 コロナ特措法など改正案決定 応じない事業者に行政罰も

Administrative punishment for businesses that do not heed to amendment decisions

The government decided at a cabinet meeting on the 22nd to amend the Special Measures Law and the Infectious Diseases Law, saying that it is necessary to improve the effectiveness of measures against the new coronavirus.

The Cabinet decided on amendments to the Act on Special Measures for New Coronavirus, the Infectious Diseases Act, and the Quarantine Act.

The amendment to the Special Measures Law stipulates that "priority measures such as prevention of spread" will be newly established so that measures can be taken intensively even before the declaration of an emergency.

On top of that, the governor of the local government in the target area requests the business operator to change the business hours, and if he/she does not respond, he/she can give an order and also enables on-site inspections.

Businesses that do not comply with the order will be fined as administrative punishment, and if a declaration is issued, it will be 500,000 yen or less, and if it is a "priority measure" before the declaration, it will be 300,000 yen or less, and on-site inspection will be refused. Even if you do, you will be charged a fine of 200,000 yen or less.

On the other hand, it clearly states that the government and local governments will take necessary financial measures to support businesses affected by shortened business hours.

The amendment to the Infectious Diseases Control Law newly establishes a provision that allows the governor to request accommodation treatment for infected people and imposes imprisonment of up to 1 year or a fine of up to 1 million yen for those who refuse to be hospitalized. And so on.

On the other hand, the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare and the governor can recommend cooperation such as accepting infected people to medical institutions, and if they do not comply without a justifiable reason, they can announce the medical institution.

The amendment to the Quarantine Law requires people entering the country from overseas to cooperate, such as waiting at home, for 14 days in principle, and if they do not respond, they will be allowed to "stay" at the facility, and if they do not comply, it will be one year. The following imprisonment or a fine of up to 1 million yen will be imposed.

The government wants to pass these amendments in parliament early next month.

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210122/k10012827491000.html