TOKYO: Despite community transmission of the Omicron variant, Japan will not immediately strengthen Covid-19 restrictions, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said on Thursday because the government has taken full-fledged steps against it.

"At this time, we are not considering making any changes to the loosened limitations on people's activities," the senior government official said, "but we plan to respond quickly by working with municipalities and specialists and taking infectious situations into account."

Three additional Omicron cases were reported in Japan's Osaka Prefecture on Wednesday. According to the local authorities, the three family members — a male elementary school teacher, a lady in her 30s, and a child under the age of 10 — were hospitalised to a hospital after having moderate symptoms such as fever between Saturday and Monday.

Fumio Kishida, Japan's prime minister, said his country is adequately prepared for the virus's spread. "We have intensified efforts to enhance the process of prevention, testing, and early treatment using the time we acquired through strengthened border control," he said at a gathering in Tokyo.

In the wake of the Omicron variant's uncertainty, Japan has prevented new foreigners from entering the country starting November 30 and has extended the prohibition until early next year.

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