May 26, 2009. Japanese Government Lowers Quarantine Restrictions Regarding Swine Influenza
| SOURCE: | Air Security International |
On 22 May 2009 the Japanese government announced that it is decreasing its restrictions regarding the H1N1 (swine flu) virus due to the low casualty rate despite the increase in confirmed cases. The government stated that the quarantine measures were drafted under the impression that the severity of the virus was similar to that of the avian influenza. In addition, the government indicated that should it continue the excessive restrictions, they would negatively impact the economy. Officials are aiming at a more flexible program to help alleviate pressures on local governments and medical services. The new guidelines indicate that suspected patients will be allowed to go to any medical institution to receive medical care, rather than designated centers, and schools will limit their closures to areas severely affected by the virus. Quarantine checks will not be conducted on board aircraft in most cases.
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