Fines for refusal of hospitalization and health center survey Corona amendment bill passed

An amendment to the Special Measures Law and the Infectious Diseases Law, which will impose penalties in response to the spread of the new coronavirus, will be passed at the Upper House plenary session on the afternoon of the 3rd. The Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, the Constitutional Democratic Party, and the Nippon Ishin no Kai are all in favor. It is expected to come into effect in the middle of this month.

　The bill to amend the Infectious Diseases Control Law imposes a fine on refusal of hospitalization and refusal of epidemiological investigations conducted by health centers to identify close contacts .

　The amendment to the Special Measures Law stipulates a new fine if the prefectural governor does not respond to an order to shorten business hours under a state of emergency . Even before the declaration, "priority measures such as prevention of spread" will be established to impose fines.

　Regarding priority measures such as prevention of spread, the government explained that "basically, it is expected to be applied at stage 3 (rapid increase in infection)" ( Yasutoshi Nishimura, Minister of Economic Revitalization).

　Of the six indicators that determine the status of infection and the burden on the healthcare delivery system, it is possible that priority measures will continue to be applied even after the current emergency declaration has been lifted after moving away from the most serious stage 4 (infection explosion) equivalent .

Source: https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASP233G62P23UTFK006.html