News Health ministry apologizing for Ginza party

The ministry is at the forefront of the state response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the country completely lifted its second state of emergency over the virus on March 21, the Tokyo government has requested restaurants and bars to close by 9 p.m., effective until April 21. The government's coronavirus task force also recommends limiting dining to a maximum of four people from a close circle, such as family members and colleagues. A senior health ministry official said in the Diet on Tuesday the party organizers had booked a table at a Ginza restaurant that is open until 11 p.m. The gathering of the ministry's division of health for the elderly started at 7:15 p.m. last Wednesday and more than 10 of the 23 participants including the division chief remained there until around midnight. Most of the attendees talked with each other without wearing face masks, the official added.

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The health ministry on April 8 said that six of its officials have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, three of whom attended an ill-advised March 24 gathering in Tokyo's Ginza district. The farewell party was held despite the central government warning against such gatherings and urging eateries to close early. Health Minister Norihisa Tamura said at a meeting of the Upper House's Committee on Health, Welfare and Labor on April 8, "Once again, I sincerely apologize."

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