Photo/Illutration Sample testing kits are used at a demonstration of drive-through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for the novel coronavirus in Tokyo’s Edogawa Ward on April 22. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

The central and Tokyo metropolitan governments agreed to establish a system to regularly conduct COVID-19 tests for workers in the capital’s nightlife districts, where a resurgence of infections is feared.

They also plan to provide consultation services for workers at host and hostess clubs or bars in red-light districts to encourage them to undergo the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and Yasutoshi Nishimura, the state minister of economic revitalization who is also in charge of novel coronavirus measures, met in Tokyo on June 7 behind closed doors along with experts on infectious diseases.

“We exchanged views on creating a system that enables workers in nightlife districts to undergo PCR testing without hesitation as soon as possible,” Koike told reporters after the meeting. “It’s important to take (measures) with the industry.”

Nishimura said at a news conference after the meeting, “We confirmed the importance of setting up consultation services that protect the privacy of (workers in the industry) who feel unwell or that something is wrong.”

Many COVID-19 cases have been reported in Tokyo’s red-light districts since the state of emergency was lifted for the entire country last month.

Of the 147 cases confirmed in the capital over the week from June 1 through June 7, 59, or 40 percent, were connected to nighttime districts.

On June 6, 12 hosts of the same host club in the Shinjuku district tested positive.

(This article was written by Rihito Karube and Tomohiro Yamamoto.)

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