Extended State of Emergency for one month
The government of Japan is expanding the state of emergency for coronavirus to Tokyo, Osaka and eight other prefectures for a month, until 7 March.
At a meeting of the coronavirus task force on Tuesday, Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide declared the decision. Minister of Economic Revitalization Nishimura Yasutoshi, who is charged with the country’s coronavirus response, and Minister of Health Tamura Norihisa were also present.
Eleven prefectures are protected by the state of emergency and were initially set to expire on Sunday.
Suga said the number of new infections in Tokyo and around the country has been declining since last month’s state of emergency took effect.
He said initiatives have been successful, including reduced business hours for restaurants and bars.
Suga also said efforts to minimize the number of patients in hospitals and those with severe symptoms need to be continued.
But the declaration will expire on Sunday for Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, as the number of new cases and the medical system there has improved.
Suga added that if conditions change, he would lift the state of emergency before March 7.
Source: NHK
