Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura revealed this week that staff working on the city and prefecture’s IR bid have been temporarily re-assigned to assist with the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that discussions between Osaka and MGM Resorts are on hold.
Discussing measures Osaka is taking in response to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declaring a state of emergency on Tuesday. Yoshimura stated at his regular conference, “The situation in the United States means that work between MGM and Osaka is unlikely to proceed for the moment. We have postponed talks. Those staff who were working on the IR bid will now work on the corona crisis.
“Since Friday of last week to 7 April we have been recruiting accommodation facilities, hotels, for treating mild and asymptomatic patients, and so far we have a total of 98 businesses offering help – a total of 202 facilities and 21,000 rooms.”
Regarding these accommodations for patients suffering light symptoms, Yoshimura added, “This countermeasure for the coronavirus is a matter of national emergency and there has been damage. This needs to be stopped. We need to be in control of reputational damages to healthcare workers and hospitals. We all have to work together.”
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