Japan’s prime minister Yoshihide Suga on Thursday declared a state of emergency in Tokyo and three neighbouring areas to contain the rapidly increasing rate of coronavirus infections.
The one-month emergency in Tokyo and neighbouring prefectures of Saitama, Kanagawa and Chiba will remain in place until 7 February with curbs on the operations of restaurants and bars after 8pm. The administration has also advised people to stay home and avoid visiting crowded areas.
"I am confident we can overcome this, but I must ask all of you to endure a restricted life for a while longer,” Mr Suga told reporters.
The restrictions are less stringent than the ones observed in April last year that included the nationwide closure of schools and non-essential businesses. Though schools and shopping complexes have not been shut this time, the government has directed cinemas and museums to reduce their capacity for visitors/
The emergency declaration from the government came days after governors from the affected areas requested the central authorities to take necessary measures to contain the pandemic.
“We need to now recognise that virus infections have entered a totally new stage,” said Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike. “Tokyo is making the protection of human life a top priority.”
“Please take this matter seriously as your own, to protect all precious life, your parents, your grandparents, family and friends, over generations,” Mr Suga said, as he informed the media that they working to get a vaccine approved and delivered.
He also pledged to provide more aid to hospitals treating coronavirus patients.