Mar 19 (Nikkei) - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga confirmed Thursday that the government will lift the coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and three surrounding prefectures on Sunday, although restrictions on hard-hit restaurants and bars will remain in place.
In a news conference, Suga said that weeks of restrictions had brought new infections under control and led to a fall in hospitalization, with more hospital beds becoming available. He stressed that his administration would continue to take measures to prevent any surge in cases even after the removal of the emergency status, calling on the public to rally behind government guidance.
Suga said the number of new cases is "flat or slightly increasing." Despite concerns over flare-ups as restrictions are relaxed, he said he was "preparing" the country to hold the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics over the summer.
Coronavirus tests for people with no symptoms, now conducted at major train stations and other busy urban spots, will be expanded to 5,000 people a day next month, the prime minister said.
The government is continuing to ask restaurants and bars to close earlier than usual, at 9 p.m., to ensure that the virus is kept in check. Suga said the government will provide 40,000 yen ($366) a day to each establishment for their cooperation. The authorities will patrol around 10,000 establishments a day to ensure that safety measures are followed.
He also said that the vaccination of medical workers, a prioritized group, is proceeding smoothly, and about 80,000 people a day are being inoculated now.
