Japan extends, expands coronavirus emergency as cases surge post-Olympics

Aug 17, 2021 | News On Japan

Aug 17, 2021 (The Diplomat) - Japan’s coronavirus state of emergency will continue through September 12 rather than finishing at the end of this month as initially planned, the government decided Monday

With the virus continuing to spread in the country, the state of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka, Okinawa, and three other regions that began in July will be extended and expanded. The measures were enforced throughout the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics, which took place with no spectators from the general public at many events. With the latest extension, the emergency will remain in force during the Tokyo Paralympics, which open August 24 and close on September 5. “The surge in infections is reaching alarming record highs,” Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide said after meeting with other ministers about the move. The decision will become official Tuesday, Suga said, adding that an expansion of hospital care is a priority, and that people waiting at home for hospital beds are getting checkups by phone. The emergency measures center on asking eateries and bars to close at 8 p.m. and not serve alcohol. They will be expanded to several more prefectures including Kyoto, Hyogo, and Fukuoka, currently under a less severe cautionary “quasi-emergency.” New cases are reaching record highs in many areas, hovering at about 5,000 on most days during the last week in Tokyo.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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