イベント開催「主催者検討を」　新型肺炎、一律自粛は求めず―厚労省

　新型コロナウイルスの感染拡大を受け、加藤勝信厚生労働相は２０日、国内で予定されている大規模イベントなどについて、開催の必要性を改めて検討するよう主催者に求めた。一律の自粛要請はせず、あくまで主催者の判断とした上で、イベントを開く場合は感染拡大の防止策を講じるよう要請した。
　厚労省は、個々人の距離が十分に取れない屋内に一定時間とどまることは、感染リスクを高めると指摘。開催の可否を検討する際は、感染の広がりや会場の状況などを踏まえるよう呼び掛けた。
　イベント開催の自粛は求めなかったが、感染拡大など国内の状況が変わった場合は改めて方針を示す。開催する場合は、手洗いの推奨やアルコール消毒薬の設置、風邪の症状がある人に参加しないよう依頼するなど、具体的な対策を取るよう求めた。（2020/02/20-20:48）

Japan's health minister Katsunobu Kato urged organizers on Thursday to revisit the need to hold large-scale events scheduled in the country as the new coronavirus continues spreading.
   Kato stopped short of requesting that all organizers refrain from staging events, and said that the decision is left up to them.
   The health ministry noted that the risk of infection would rise if people stay for a certain length of time in an indoor environment that does not allow for adequate space between them and others. It called on organizers to take into account such factors as conditions of the event venues when they reconsider whether to stage the events as planned.
   While refraining from calling on organizers to voluntarily cancel events, the ministry will announce new policies if changes occur in the domestic situation, such as the outbreak spreading further.
   The ministry urged organizers to take concrete measures, including promoting hand washing, installing alcohol disinfectants at venues and asking people with cold-like symptoms not to attend if they decide to hold events as planned.