Coronavirus: Japan’s Kishida vows to downgrade Covid-19 categorisation in spring to same as flu

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged on Friday to downgrade the legal status of Covid-19 this spring to a Class 5 disease, the same level as seasonal influenza, a move that would lead to a major shift in the pandemic restrictions that have been in place for around three years.

In Japan, Covid-19 is currently categorised as “equivalent to Class 2” and is subject to extensive measures, such as limitations on the movements of infected people and their close contacts. The measures are stricter than those against Class 2 infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and severe acute respiratory syndrome, or Sars.

The possible downgrade would mark a big turning point toward the normalisation of social and economic activities in the country, and would probably result in foreigners being able to enter Japan without PCR tests or quarantine.

After instructing relevant ministers to promote preparations for the reclassification in the spring, Kishida told reporters that his administration will also review the rules on the wearing of face masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Kishida said the government will “gradually” change the measures in place to deal with the pandemic so Japan can return to normal, indicating that medical and financial support covered by taxpayers’ money could be trimmed.

But the prime minister added the government would continue its vaccination programme even after downgrading the disease’s categorisation.