The United States will impose new measures on US military bases amid an increase in Covid-19 cases, according to a press release on Thursday from the United States Forces Japan (USFJ).
This decision was made after heavy criticism by the local government for its handling Vivid transmission between soldiers in Okinawa Prefecture, the southernmost tip of Japan. Earlier this week, the governor of Okinawa – home to several US bases – blow up the US army because it is not possible to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant.
“I am outraged that the increase in the number of infected US service members shows that their management is not enough,” Denny Tamaki, governor of Okinawa Prefecture, said at a news conference on Sunday.
What’s changed: The new restrictions will include mandatory mask wearing when outside the facility regardless of immunization status and the requirement to be tested for Covid-19 before, upon arrival and while in Japan.
“The mitigation measures we have taken throughout the USFJ are aimed at protecting the readiness of our forces, the well-being of our families, and the health of Japanese citizens,” the statement said. know. “We recognize that we all have a part to play in keeping our communities safe,” it continued.
Some basic information: Japan has seen an increase in the number of Covid-19 infections, especially in Okinawa, where 623 new infections were reported on the island, on Wednesday. This is a significant jump from the previous day’s 225.
Last year, two US Marine Corps bases in Okinawa – including Camp Hansen – were locked down and imposed restrictions on other bases in the area, according to Kyodo News.
