山際担当相、「面的拡大」なら行動制限も　オミクロン株対策―新型コロナ

　山際大志郎経済再生担当相は２４日の記者会見で、新型コロナウイルスの変異株「オミクロン株」への対応について、「面的に広がれば、行動制限強化を含め機動的に対応する」と述べ、感染状況を見極めつつ飲食やイベントなどに関する制限を検討する可能性に言及した。また、年末年始の感染対策に協力を呼び掛けた。
　山際氏はオミクロン株について「外国での拡大は相当のスピードで起こることが分かっている」と指摘。大阪府や京都府での「市中感染」確認に関しては、「今はまだ（他地域に）つながっていない状況」と説明する一方、「これから各県で感染者が出てくると思う」との見方を示した。（2021/12/24-12:33）

The government might tighten its movement restrictions flexibly if the omicron coronavirus variant spreads widely in Japan, economic revitalization minister Daishiro Yamagiwa said Friday.
   Speaking at a press conference, Yamagiwa, who oversees the government's response to the coronavirus crisis, suggested that the government may consider restrictions on eating and drinking establishments as well as on holding events, while monitoring the infection situation carefully.
   He said the omicron strain is known to have spread at considerable speed in foreign countries.
   The western Japan prefectures of Kyoto and Osaka have recently reported community-acquired infections with the omicron variant. While community transmissions have not expanded to other areas yet, there will be reports of infection in other prefectures, Yamagiwa said.
   Also, the minister asked citizens to try to confirm that they are coronavirus-negative before returning to their hometowns or taking trips during the year-end and New Year holidays.