On May 8, 2023, the legal status of the coronavirus infection changed to a category 5 infectious disease, the same as seasonal flu.

As a result, restrictions on the movement of infected people, identification of people with close contact with those infected, treatment of infected people by health centers, among other measures, will no longer be necessary.

While there are no restrictions on going out in public places after switching to Category 5, if you are ill, during the 5 day period after symptoms first appear and within the 24 hour period since symptom relief (fever, sore throat etc.), avoid leaving the house as much as possible.

Additionally, the new coronavirus drugs listed below will continue to be funded by the public health system, but other medical costs will be paid by the patient (public funding for such costs has ended).

Medicines for the treatment of the coronavirus that will be covered by public funds

• Oral medications (Lagevrio Paxlovid, Xocova)
• Intravenous medications (Veklury)
• Drugs for neutralizing antibodies (Casirivimab/Imdevimab, Sotrovimab, Tixagevimabe/cilgavimabe)

Consultation and care centers for coronavirus infections (in Japanese language only)

24-hour service (including weekends and holidays)

• Kuwana Public Health Center: 0594-24-3619
• Yokkaichi Public Health Center: 059-352-0594
• Suzuka Public Health Center: 059-392-5010
• Tsu Public Health Center: 059-223-5345
• Matsusaka Public Health Center: 0598-50-0518
• Ise Public Health Center: 0596-27-5140
• Iga Public Health Center: 0595-24-8050
• Owase Public Health Center: 0597-23-3456
• Kumano Public Health Center: 0597-89-6161

Service Desks

• If you are having difficulties due to the new coronavirus:

Call MieCo, Mie Consultation Center for Foreign Residents

TEL: 080-3300-8077

Opening hours: open from Sunday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm

Support Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, Filipino, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai and Japanese

• If you are experiencing vaccine-related difficulties and/or need help booking vaccine:

Call the “Coronavirus Vaccine Consultation Line for Mie Foreigners” – Mie Gaikokujin Corona Vaccine Soudan Dial (みえ外国人コロナワクチン相談ダイアル)

TEL: 080-3123-9173

Opening hours: open from Sunday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm

Support Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, Filipino, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai and Japanese