Apr 16, 2020 (Kyodo) - The Japanese government's cautious approach to broadening coronavirus testing has created a dilemma for people who suspect they have been exposed to the virus and are choosing to stay at a hotel at their own expense.
Under government guidelines, those who suspect they are infected are asked to stay at home unless fever persists for at least four days.
But people choosing to self-isolate in a hotel room out of fear of infecting family members are complaining of financial and emotional burdens.
"I had no choice. As someone who is potentially infected with the virus, I would only have caused trouble to my wife and children if I stayed home," said a man in his 40s who self-isolated at a hotel in Osaka Prefecture where he works.
The man was notified in early April that a client had contracted the virus. They had met twice at the end of March to discuss business for around an hour in a closed room without wearing face masks.
Although he had no symptoms, he moved into the hotel the day after the notification. He switched to teleworking and confined himself to his room except to buy food.
Local authorities in the neighboring prefecture of Hyogo where he lives refused his requests to be tested, since he did not have a fever of 37.5 C or higher.
In cases where individuals believe they have symptoms but do not fulfill testing conditions, the government asks them to rest at home and isolate themselves from family members.
