Feb 03, 2021 (NHK) - Japanese lawmakers have just enacted legislation that will allow tougher enforcement of anti-virus rules. The legal revisions come as eleven prefectures -- including Tokyo -- remain under a state of emergency.
The revised laws will allow officials to fine people or businesses that break rules.
That includes those who test positive for the virus and are told to check into a hospital, but refuse.
Individuals who lie to health officials or refuse their inquiries will also face punishments.
Government efforts to stem the spread of the virus include shortening operating hours for bars and restaurants. Under the new rules, businesses that don't comply can be fined up to about 3,000 dollars.
Prefectural governors will also be able to put in place anti-virus measures even before the central government declares a state of emergency.
The government recently decided to extend its state of emergency for all but one of the affected prefectures for one month... until March 7.
Meanwhile, the health ministry says it has discovered a glitch in its coronavirus contact-tracing app, COCOA.
It anonymously collects information on people who have come into close contact with users and then allows them to notify others of a positive coronavirus test.
But the app has not been collecting or sending out data for android users since September. Officials aim to fix the problem by mid-February.
New case numbers in Japan have been declining in recent weeks.
In Tokyo, 676 new infections were reported on Wednesday. The daily tally has been below 1,000 for six days in a row.
Source: ANNnewsCH
