The Cabinet on Friday endorsed a revision to a Cabinet ordinance on the Self-Defense Forces Law to allow governors to order doctors, nurses, pharmacists, construction firms and private railway, bus or truck companies to continue working in times of emergency if requested by the Defense Agency chief.
The revised ordinance also allows governors to bring automobile maintenance shops and gas stations under their control.
The ordinance is only valid within areas designated by the prime minister, which will be limited to areas behind the SDF field of operations, officials said.
The ordinance also covers dentists, assistant nurses, clinical laboratory technologists and radiological technologists, so that they can be ordered to give medical treatment behind the lines to SDF personnel wounded in battle.
The ordinance also includes operators of ferries, high-speed vessels and airlines.
According to the ordinance, dockyards, moorings and fuel depots at airports will also be put under the control of governors in emergencies.