Lifestyle

What Happened to COVID in Japan Afterwards?

Three years after the new corona epidemic began in Japan, we will be at a major turning point. Starting May 8, the new coronavirus classification will be handled the same as the seasonal flu. Finally, life after COVID will officially begin. (That said, we had been living our normal lives since about January.)

Life in Japan will change as follows.

Behavior Restrictions
People and companies, not the government, will be able to make their own decisions regarding behavioral restrictions. As with flu, it will be “recommended” that the patient refrain from leaving the house for five days as a period of recuperation.

Medical Bills
Currently, public funds fully cover the costs of testing, medical care after the infection is discovered, and hospitalization, all of which are provided free of charge. That turns into a co-payment. The maximum cost is estimated at 30 USD. (In Japan, all citizens have access to health insurance, which only requires payment for 30% of medical expenses.) But the cost-prohibitive corona treatments are offered without charge until the end of September this year in order to prevent a sudden increase in the load on patients.

Vaccination
The vaccine will be free until the end of March next year.

Report
The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) announces the number of new cases every day, but starting in May, it will announce the number only once a week, on Fridays. We, as individuals, will need to make decisions about infection control based on the weekly announcement.

What about the mask?
Combined with the fact that Japan is not so hot today, many people still wear masks. According to a survey of 300 people conducted by a TV program, 5.3% of the respondents always removed their masks. Basically, everyone is either “always wearing a mask” or “putting it on and taking it off,” depending on the situation. When asked if they were annoyed that others were not wearing masks, 50% said they were not, while 20% said they were, indicating that nearly 20% are still concerned about the wearing status of others.

From the 29th, a certificate of vaccine intake or negative proof is no longer required when entering Japan from overseas. Finally, the post-COVID era begins earnestly in Japan.

Holidays! Golden Week is Here!Prev

6 Films to be Seen in Theaters in May 2023Next

Related post

  1. Lifestyle

    Digital Detox with Zazen at the Temple in Shibuya

    At Kourinin, a temple in Shibuya, zazen sessions are held at 7:00 a.m. on weekdays. Zazen is a Buddhist practice where you sit up straight and focus o…

  2. Lifestyle

    “I’m off work tomorrow to play The Legend of Zelda.”

    Tears of the Kingdom, the latest installment of the popular "Legend of Zelda" game from Nintendo, was released on May 12. On Twitter, there was a flur…

  3. Lifestyle

    MasterCard is not accepted

    A number of Japanese adult manga, illustration, and anime viewing services have been suspended by MasterCard.Generally, credit card payment companie…

  4. Lifestyle

    What We Should Be Prepared for Living in Earthquake-Prone Japan

    On March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred with a magnitude of 9.0, the largest earthquake Japan has ever experienced. Since the begi…

  5. Lifestyle

    Japan’s Rainy Season Arrived

    The Japan Meteorological Agency today announced the start of the "rainy season (Tsuyu)" over a wide area of Japan.May through July is the Tsuyu seas…

  6. Lifestyle

    Shinkansen (Bullet train)

    The Shinkansen is Japan's high-speed rail system that connects cities with populations of 100,000 or more at speeds of 200 km/h or more. It began serv…

PAGE TOP