Another State of Emergency for Tokyo and 3 Neighboring Prefectures

Another State of Emergency for Tokyo and 3 Neighboring Prefectures

Happy New Year everyone!
We hope all of you are doing well and let’s look forward to a better year ahead.

Yesterday, the highest number of covid-19 cases in Tokyo metropolitan area has been recorded. Infections have been rising rapidly in Tokyo, with a total of 1,591 cases of Coronavirus infection yesterday while, the nationwide tally was over 6,000 cases for the first time according to Nikkei Asia news.

Furthermore, the hospital situation is also serious. I just checked the recent update regarding bed occupancy rate in each prefecture, activate cases in the country etc. and the numbers are overwhelming. The most affected areas are coded as black already.

Please refer to this link: https://www.stopcovid19.jp/

Our Tokyo branch right now is still open however, both of us ( Filipino staffs) we’re instructed to go on telework since 3rd week of December due to the increasing number of coronavirus infected persons in Tokyo. We were both hoping to go back to work as soon as possible, but telework has always been extended by our superior.

In my opinion, the most crucial part was the holiday break. The possibility of an increase in Covid-cases was really high. As day went by, the number of cases continuously rose up and it is very alarming. I was watching the news yesterday and was surprised when I saw the numbers hoping it was not true but when I switched to a different channel, the same report was also announced. 🙁

We are hoping that the telework set up will end by first week of 2021, however we were informed again to continue with remote work due to the implementation of another “state of emergency” in Tokyo and nearby prefectures.

Tokyo and neighboring prefectures such as Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa, are to be covered by the planned state of emergency which will be effective from Friday until February 7. The details are expected to be explained today by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

Let us all cooperate with the government and be extra careful on not getting infected by the Coronavirus. Hopefully, the vaccines too will be available right away to stop the spread of this virus. Let us stay positive that things will get back to normal.

Despite the pandemic we are currently experiencing, this won’t stop us from helping our applicants and continuously supporting companies who want to hire SSW workers and/or switch current trainees to SSW visa. We just hope that the Covid-19 cases would immediately subside and we are praying for this pandemic to end.

Stay safe everyone!