How effective are the measures to be taken this time against a new coronavirus variant that is believed to be highly contagious but also to pose a low risk of severe symptoms?
Steps that do not rely only on restricting people's actions should be taken as soon as possible, such as by providing booster shots and thorough testing for the virus.
In response to the rapid spread of the omicron variant, the government has decided to apply quasi-emergency "priority measures" to 13 prefectures, including Tokyo, Kanagawa and Aichi, from Jan. 21 to Feb. 13.
