(1) Learning the Current Public Health Policies on COVID-19

Abstract

More than a year has passed since COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) was reclassified as a Category 5 infectious disease under the Infectious Diseases Control Law. Public health journals have published several special features on COVID-19. This paper outlines the responses of various public institutions to COVID-19 after the pandemic based on information from their official websites. In 2023, the Cabinet Agency for Infectious Disease Crisis Management was established within the Cabinet Secretariat to strengthen the leadership response to infectious disease crises and to develop a system that can respond promptly and appropriately. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare continues to release information on COVID-19 outbreaks, vaccines, infection control measures, etc., on its website, while detailed information related to COVID-19 is available on the National Institute of Infectious Diseases website. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government provides residents with clear, easy-to-understand information related to COVID-19, either online or through leaflets and handbooks. Incidentally, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted not only the difficulties but also a range of other issues. The experience of restrictive situations widely felt by society should serve as both a resource and inspiration to find concrete solutions to various challenges.