Message from the Mayor regarding the extension of COVID-19 priority preventive measures (2021.5.28)

The COVID-19 priority preventive measures in place for Kanagawa Prefecture have been extended again until June 20, and the prefectural government is requesting an all-day suspension of alcoholic beverage services in the designated area.

The City of Yokohama will continue to direct public facilities to close by 8:00 p.m., events to end by 9 p.m., and limit the number of attendees to city-organized and co-organized events to 5,000 people.

The number of new cases last week in Yokohama was 673, which does not show a significant change compared to case numbers from when priority preventive measures went into effect here. Virus variants have been detected in 82% of cases tested in Kanagawa Prefecture, so we must remain staunchly vigilant.

With the cooperation of local doctors, Yokohama, primarily through Y-CERT, is coordinating hospitalizations, transfer, and transport to and from hospitals smoothly, and is maintaining a balance between infectious disease treatment and standard emergency care.

Currently, Yokohama is devoting its full efforts to the vaccine rollout, which is the key to stopping the spread of the coronavirus.

Starting June 6, a new large-scale vaccination venue will being operations at CIQ Hall in Yokohama Hammerhead. Mass vaccination venues will be expanded from 19 to 33 locations and operations will be expanded, such as with the installation of additional vaccination booths at five locations. In the near future, venues will add hours on other days to increase the number of vaccinations administered at each venue. Health care facilities providing individual vaccinations will also be gradually expanded to a target of around 1,700 locations.

We will also work to make it easier to make appointments. Additional lines will be added to the appointment call center to accept calls on a maximum of 500 lines. Ward Administration Office staff will readily assist any residents having trouble making appointments online, so feel free to ask for help.

Enough vaccine has been secured for every elderly resident who wishes to get it, and to ensure they get it by the end of July. There is no need to worry about the vaccine running out as you make your appointments.

In the face of an extremely challenging situation, both residents and businesses have cooperated with a wide range of policies, from observing basic infection prevention measures, to refraining from non-urgent outings, shortened business hours, and the all-day suspension of alcoholic beverage services. Once again, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude.

Over the coming 20 days, I hope to work alongside residents and businesses to help stop the coronavirus from spreading any further at all costs. We continue to ask citizens and businesses for their cooperation to continue to thoroughly observe infection prevention measures, such as refraining from non-essential and non-urgent outings, and enacting an all-day suspension of alcoholic beverage services.

Yokohama will continue to work closely with the national and prefectural governments, as well as local medical institutions, and do everything in our power to protect the lives and livelihoods of all residents.