Close-contact isolation period reduced to 7 days

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks to reporters at Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Friday. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

The government has reduced the recommended isolation period for people who have had close contact with COVID-19 patients from 10 days to seven and has informed prefectural governments, among others, of the decision.

The government has also decided to reduce the close-contact isolation period for essential workers, such as medical professionals, from six days to five.