１８道府県にまん延防止　飲食店で時短・人数制限―新型コロナ

　新型コロナウイルスの変異株「オミクロン株」の感染急拡大を受け、緊急事態宣言に準じた対策が可能となる「まん延防止等重点措置」が２７日、１８道府県に新たに適用された。基本的対処方針によると、飲食店は営業時間が午後８時（感染対策を取る認証店は午後９時）までとなり、人数も原則４人までに制限される。
　新たな対象は北海道、青森、山形、福島、茨城、栃木、石川、長野、静岡、京都、大阪、兵庫、島根、岡山、福岡、佐賀、大分、鹿児島の各道府県で、期間は２月２０日までの２５日間。先行して適用された広島、山口、沖縄３県の期限も今月末から２月２０日に延長。重点措置の適用は計３４都道府県になった。
　酒類の提供は多くの都道府県で認証店に限り認められる。（2022/01/27-00:08）

The Japanese government's COVID-19 pre-emergency designation took effect in 18 more prefectures Thursday following the rapid spread of the omicron variant of the novel coronavirus.
   In areas covered by the designation, eateries and bars are basically asked to close by 8 p.m., while those certified by local governments as taking required coronavirus prevention measures can stay open until 9 p.m. Group dining is limited to four people per table in principle.
   The 18 prefectures are Hokkaido, Aomori, Yamagata, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Ishikawa, Nagano, Shizuoka, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Shimane, Okayama, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita and Kagoshima. The designation will be effective until Feb. 20.
   The pre-emergency for Hiroshima, Yamaguchi and Okinawa prefectures that started on Jan. 9 was extended until Feb. 20 from the previously planned expiration at the end of this month.
   The pre-emergency designation now covers 34 of the country's 47 prefectures.