An elderly woman walks though an alley at a market in Tokyo's Tsukiji area on November 21, 2020. / AFP / Charly TRIBALLEAU
Japan will partially suspend the country’s "Go-To” domestic travel campaign in areas where coronavirus cases are increasing, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said.
Suga didn’t specify the places where the campaign will be suspended. About 40 million people used the Go-To-Travel program between July 22 to Oct. 31, according to the tourism agency.
Suga and cabinet members gathered on Saturday to discuss the effort, which had been a boost to the local economy with subsidies provided on travel and dining. The country’s virus task force had earlier recommended that the government consider reviewing the program, Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said on Friday.
"We need to act as swiftly as possible,” Suga told reporters, adding that he has instructed relevant ministers to take measures on the virus infections.
The premier said he suggested that no new reservations should be accepted under the campaign, and requested local governments to stop issuing new "Go-To Eat” food coupons.
Suga also said he plans use national funds to conduct Covid-19 tests for some elderly people in medical and nursing facilities.
Japan can’t rule out calling a state of emergency if the virus outbreak worsen, Nishimura told a news conference after Saturday’s meeting. New virus cases in Tokyo reached a daily record of 539 on Saturday.
Mitsumaru Kumagai, chief economist at Daiwa Institute of Research Ltd. and an adviser to Suga, estimated that the campaign could give a 4.9 trillion yen ($47 billion) boost to the economy over time. That forecast may need to be scaled down if the program is downsized or withdrawn.
(Updated with comments from Suga, and background on travel campaign.)
