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Abe asks people to take sick leaves to prevent virus spread

Abe made the remark at a meeting of the government's headquarters led by him to deal with the virus situation. He also called for large-scale events to be put off as needed. (AFP)
Abe made the remark at a meeting of the government's headquarters led by him to deal with the virus situation. He also called for large-scale events to be put off as needed. (AFP)
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19 Feb 2020 10:02:22 GMT9
19 Feb 2020 10:02:22 GMT9

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe said Tuesday he wants people to take off from work or school and refrain from going out when they have cold-like symptoms such as fever, in order to prevent any further spread of the new coronavirus from China.

Abe made the remark at a meeting of the government's headquarters led by him to deal with the virus situation. He also called for large-scale events to be put off as needed.

Taking leave when feeling unwell is "an important action to help prevent the spread of the virus," Abe said. "It is also important to create an environment in which students and employees find it easier to take sick leave," Abe also said, calling on schools and companies to take a flexible approach, such as introducing a teleworking system.

He instructed ministers who participated in the meeting to see to it that reviews are made as needed on the timing of holding large events and that relevant information is provided promptly and appropriately.

Also on Tuesday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference that hotlines set up across the nation for returnees from China's Hubei Province, the epicenter of the outbreak, and people who had contact with those infected with the virus had received a total of 4,885 requests for consultations by Sunday. Of the total, 126 cases were referred to designated outpatient facilities, he said.

There has been no report about confusion, such as patients flooding a medical institution, the top government spokesman said.

From Wednesday, passengers of the Diamond Princess will disembark from the cruise ship hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus if they test negative for the virus.

On Tuesday, the government was in the final stage of preparation for the disembarkation. Tokyo also made arrangements with Canada, Australia, Italy, South Korea and Hong Kong, which hope to bring home their citizens aboard the cruise ship by sending special flights.

Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono encouraged Self-Defense Forces members working to give medical and livelihood support to passengers of the cruise ship, now quarantined at the port of Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo.

At Japanese ports and airports, authorities are continuing efforts to block the entry to the country by people infected or suspected to be infected with the new coronavirus. The Immigration Services Agency said Tuesday that 107 foreigners had been denied entry as of Monday due to reasons such as having stayed in Hubei recently.

JIJI Press

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