From the 25th of this month to the 11th of next month
Third State of Emergency Declared in Four Areas Including Tokyo
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] The number of new COVID-19 cases in Japan has continued to rise, recording over 5,000 cases for three consecutive days.
According to NHK's tally, on the 23rd, 5,113 new COVID-19 infections were confirmed nationwide in Japan. By region, among the 47 prefectures across the country, four areas where the third state of emergency will be enforced from the 25th?Osaka (1,162 cases), Tokyo (759 cases), Hyogo (567 cases), and Kyoto (130 cases)?accounted for more than half, 51% (2,618 cases). The number of cases in Osaka, where the variant virus has spread, exceeded Tokyo's for the 25th consecutive day.
The cumulative number of confirmed cases rose to 558,857. It was announced that 56 people died from COVID-19 on that day, bringing the total death toll to 9,885.
On the same day, the Japanese government decided to declare the third state of emergency in four areas including Tokyo from the 25th of this month until the 11th of next month to curb the spread of COVID-19. The state of emergency declaration for the Tokyo area comes just over a month after it was lifted on the 22nd of last month.
In the areas under the state of emergency, the governors of the metropolitan governments will be able to request or order shortened business hours (until 8 p.m.) or closure of multi-use establishments such as restaurants. Establishments that serve alcohol or have karaoke facilities will be closed, and large stores over 1,000㎡ such as department stores, shopping centers, large retail stores, and movie theaters will also close. However, places handling essential daily necessities are excluded from the closure requirements.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference that evening, "If left as is, there is concern about the spread of infection in major cities," and urged, "Please refrain from going out and returning home during the holiday period from the 29th to the 5th of next month."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
