TOKYO: A task force set up by Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday (March 10) approved a 430 billion yen (US$4.1bil) package that includes support for small to medium-size businesses hit by the (Covid-19) coronavirus outbreak, amid criticisms over his handling of the crisis.
Among other relief, the package also includes subsidies for parents who need to take time off work due to school closures, funding for development of virus vaccines and test kits and for extra production of protective masks, banning of their resale.
The plan also includes support for hospitals to prepare for a potential surge in the number of patients in coming weeks. A worst-case scenario estimate by the health ministry showed 20,000 people could be hospitalised and 45,000 outpatients might require treatment per day. The government said it plans to provide 1.6 trillion yen in interest-free, no collateral loans to help such companies manage during the crisis.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organisation , people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.
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