Information on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Iwate Prefecture

We have gathered information on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as well as Iwate’s current status below in English. However, for the most up-to-date information, please refer to the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare’s website, linked below.

Messages from the Governor of Iwate about COVID-19

A message from Governor Tasso during the 70th meeting of the Iwate Prefecture COVID-19 Countermeasures HQ (May 8th)

COVID-19 has changed in category to a common infectious disease, with this change the COVID-19 Countermeasures HQ will be dissolved.

Even after the Countermeasures HQ’s dissolution, the Iwate COVID Infectious Disease Council will be established to continue a unified response to infections within the prefecture.

Although COVID’s categorization has changed to common infectious disease, the prefecture will continue to maintain the health and medical system policies necessary for people here to protect their lives and health, and we have established systems to provide in and outpatient services at many medical facilities.  

We will continue to provide services such as the Iwate Health Follow-up Center, which provides consultation for symptomatic patients and referrals to places to receive medical care, quarantine facilities for the elderly, and the testing of staff at elderly care facilities in accordance with the state of infection.

However, there will be no need for those who test positive to register their infection status or quarantine at home, therefore food support for those quarantining at home and quarantine facility support will end. Event restrictions will also be put to an end.

All of these changes will be posted to the Iwate Prefecture website for everyone to read.

I would like to express my deepest respect and gratitude to all the medical personnel who are still treating the people in Iwate to protect their lives and health, and to the nursing, social welfare, and educational personnel who are working hard to prevent infection in various places. I ask for your continued cooperation.

I ask again for everyone’s cooperation in practicing infection prevention measures appropriate to the situation.

Although the way of handling COVID-19 has changed starting today, that does not mean that COVID itself has disappeared. Let us move forward to the next step of participating in economic and societal activities in Iwate while following infection prevention measures appropriate to the situation.

• A message from the Governor of Iwate about COVID-19 (May 8th)
• A message from the Governor of Iwate about COVID-19 (April 26th)
• A message from the Governor of Iwate about COVID-19 (March 24th)
• A message from the Governor of Iwate about COVID-19 (December 26th)

A Request from Iwate Prefecture

Regarding Safety Tips to Reduce Risk of Infection

• Source: 【Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare】Installing COCOA (Japanese)（外部リンク）
• Source: 【Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare】Installing COCOA (English)（外部リンク）

COVID-19 Multilingual Guide

The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare has set up a webpage with resources and guides regarding COVID-19 in Japan. The page provides various information on how you can prevent the spread of the virus, how you can receive help regarding COVID-19 in your own native language, steps to take if you suspect being infected with COVID-19, and other useful information.

The guideline is available in several languages such as Plain Japanese, English, Chinese, Portuguese, and Korean. Other languages will be available as downloadable pamphlets. Please follow the link below for more information.

• Information on Confirmed Cases in Iwate (May, 2023)
• Information on Confirmed Cases in Iwate (Past Cases)
• Source: 【Iwate Prefecture】Information on the Coronavirus (JPN page)
• Source:【Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare】Novel Coronavirus Cases in Japan (JPN page)（外部リンク）
• Source: 【Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare】Map of virus cases in Japan (not including Diamond Princess/returnee cases) (JPN page)（外部リンク）

Information on the COVID-19 vaccine

• Vaccine Information for COVID-19

Current state of COVID-19 in Japan

Information

• Points to consider following 10 July （PDF 237.9KB）
• Consultation Hotlines/Centers in Iwate for Possible COVID-19 Cases
• Flyers Regarding Preventative Measures in Iwate (Updated 0827)
• Regarding Government Social Support
• Notice from Iwate International Association（外部リンク）

English Links

• 【Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare】About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)（外部リンク）
• 【World Health Organization (WHO)】Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak（外部リンク）
• 【Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)】Coronavirus (COVID-19) advisory information（外部リンク）
• 【NHK World】Coronavirus outbreak（外部リンク）
• 【JNTO】Guide for when you are feeling ill (Search medical institutions, travel insurance, and more)（外部リンク）
• 【Iwate International Association】（外部リンク）

English Language Hotline

Iwate Support Center for Foreign Residents

For questions or concerns about daily life, visa issues, and others, please contact the Iwate Support Center for Foreign Residents located in Aiina 5th Floor. They are also currently taking inquiries about the novel coronavirus situation in Iwate.

Operation hours: 9am to 8pm
(daily, except end-of-the year holidays and other specified days)

For Japanese, English, or Chinese: 9am to 8pm (daily)
For Spanish: 9am to 4pm (Saturdays)
Please contact us for consultations in other languages.

019-654-8900

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Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare COVID-19 Hotline

For a smooth and easier communication, the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare runs a call center to answer any inquiries related to the COVID-19 situation in Japan.

Operation hours: 365 days
(Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, and Vietnamese)

For Thai: 9am to 6pm
For Vietnamese: 10am to 7pm
For all other languages: 9am to 9pm

0120-565653 (Free dial)

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Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC)

A help desk at the Foreign Residents Support Center in Shinjuku has been set up for any inquiries related to the novel coronavirus. If you would like to consult regarding loss of job, difficulties adjusting to life in Japan, new concerns or struggles due to the impact of the coronavirus, please contact the support center for a consultation. Couseling will be available in total 14 languages. Please follow the link below for more information.

Operation hours: 9am to 5pm (weekdays, Mon-Fri)
(Japanese, Vietnamese, English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Filipino (Tagalog), Nepali, Indonesian, Thai, Khmer (Cambodian), Burmese, and Mongolian)

0120-76-2029 (free dial)

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Japan Visitor Hotline

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) runs a multilingual call center for foreigners to use in emergency situations. You can call any time 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They are taking questions related to the novel coronavirus – call here first if you think you have symptoms and can’t speak Japanese.

050-3816-2787
 (English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese)

• Details: Iwate Support Center for Foreign Residents (Japanese)
• Details: Foreign Residents Support Center（外部リンク）
• Details: Japan Visitor Hotline（外部リンク）