和歌山にまん延防止適用へ　政府、３日にも正式決定

　政府は１日、新型コロナウイルス対応をめぐり緊急事態宣言に準じた対策が可能になる「まん延防止等重点措置」を、和歌山県にも適用する方向で調整に入った。専門家らによる基本的対処方針分科会に諮った上で３日にも政府対策本部で正式決定する。複数の関係者が明らかにした。
　重点措置はこれまで３４都道府県に適用されている。和歌山県は１８道府県への追加適用を政府が決めた１月２５日の時点では要請に慎重だったが、その後に感染者数が過去最多を更新。同２７日に仁坂吉伸知事が適用を求める意向を示し、国と協議をしてきた。（2022/02/01-23:15）

The Japanese government is making final preparations to put the western prefecture of Wakayama under a state of pre-emergency over the novel coronavirus due to a surge in infection cases, informed sources said Tuesday.
   After seeking advice from a panel of experts, the government plans to make a formal decision at a task force meeting as early as Thursday, according to the sources.
   Currently, 34 of all 47 prefectures are designated for the COVID-19 pre-emergency state, which enables governors to seek restrictions on some business activities.
   On Jan. 25, when the central government added 18 prefectures to the list of areas in the pre-emergency stage, Wakayama was cautious about asking for such designation.
   With daily infection cases subsequently hitting a record high, however, Governor Yoshinobu Nisaka expressed his intention on Thursday to request pre-emergency designation and has since held talks with the central government.