Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga, on Monday, said Tokyo could go into a state of emergency as coronavirus cases were climbing. Authorities say the Tokyo area and three neighbouring prefectures could go into a state of emergency for a month, starting January 9, casting doubt on whether the capital city will be able to push ahead with the Olympics.
The first lockdown in the city lasted for more than a month when schools and non-essential businesses were asked to close. Japan, on December 31, saw about 4,520 new cases of the coronavirus. In the meantime though, restaurants and karaoke parlours in the Tokyo area are being asked to shut down by 8pm, as opposed to 10 pm currently and businesses serving alcohol should shut down at 7 pm. Residents will be asked to avoid non-essential, non-urgent outings.
Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who is in charge of coronavirus countermeasures, said on Monday that the government would aim to make a decision “as soon as possible” after hearing what experts had to say, a Reuters report reads.
also read
- Will Japan change its existing marriage law? Study predicts uniformity in surnames by 2531
- 7.4 magnitude earthquake rattles Taiwan; Japan, Philippines issue tsunami warning | VIDEOS
- Japan holds talks with China to ease concerns over discharge of treated radioactive water
- 'Oppenheimer' finally premieres in Japan to mixed reactions and high emotions
Suga said the emergency would be implemented in a “limited and focused manner” and that social and economic activities are unlikely to be halted.
Share prices in the Japanese market fell on the first day of trading, reacting to news of the potential state of emergency.
Suga said several of the new cases were likely linked to restaurants and the orders to shut eateries sooner should be effective in mitigating the spread. Japan is set to begin its vaccination programme against COVID-19 in late February, starting with frontline health-care workers.
Suga said he hopes to go ahead and hold the Tokyo Olympics in summer.
