NHK has learned that Japan's government is making arrangements to enable people to make their own choices about wearing masks indoors as early as next month.

The government currently recommends that masks be worn indoors to prevent coronavirus infections.

But it plans to suggest that people make their own decisions when it recategorizes the coronavirus into the same group as seasonal influenza on May 8.

Government officials say new infections are in decline nationwide and it would take about a month to prepare for the recategorization.

They suggest the first half of March would be a good time for people to make their own choices about mask-wearing.

To help people decide, the health ministry is considering issuing notices about situations where masks would be effective, such as when the elderly and others at risk of serious illness go to crowded places.

The government plans to finalize the schedule for easing mask-wearing rules at an upcoming meeting of its coronavirus task force.