Vaccination leave policy to be ended along with disbandment of CECC; general leave rules to apply to COVID-19 vaccinations as epidemic prevention work has become normalized

Effective May 1, regular rapid testing measures to be removed for residential long-term care facilities, residential psychiatric rehabilitation centers, psychiatric service institutions, and veterans homes; weekly rapid tests remain mandatory for care recipients and regular testing extended until May 31 in nursing homes and senior welfare institutions

Name-based rapid test distribution system to remain in place until April 30 and be discontinued as of May 1 as it has served its purpose in previous stages of pandemic

Effective May 1, COVID-19 to be downgraded to Category 4 notifiable communicable disease and CECC to disband; Ministry of Health and Welfare to take charge of relevant preparation and response work

Third wave of Omicron infections remains at low point with average of 93 new domestic cases (complications) per day; CECC confirms 102 new cases of Omicron subvariants

ACIP experts recommend expanding eligibility for use of Moderna BA.4/BA.5 bivalent COVID-19 vaccine as booster to include children 6 months through age 5 years of age

Effective April 17, CECC to adjust some visitation, resident management measures for residential long-term care facilities during COVID-19

Third wave of Omicron infections remains at low point with average of 86 new domestic cases (complications) per day; CECC confirms 36 new cases of Omicron subvariants

CECC revises criteria for release from isolation for confirmed COVID-19 cases (with complications)

CECC announces plans to relax mask rules on public transportation; eased rules scheduled to take effect on April 17 if pandemic situation remains stable