Tokyo: Japan declared a third state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic with new restrictions imposed in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures.
Japan announced a new virus state of emergency as the country battles surging infections just three months before the Olympic opening ceremony.
The nation’s virus outbreak remains much smaller than in many countries, but a recent uptick in cases has officials and medical professionals worried, even as the government and Olympic organizers insist this summer’s Games will go ahead.
“Today we decided to declare a state of emergency in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hyogo prefectures,” Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced, citing the rise in infections involving new virus variants. The measure will run from April 25 to May 11.
Japan’s minister for virus response, Yasutoshi Nishimura, earlier warned of a “strong sense of crisis,” saying current restrictions were not sufficient.
The emergency measures stop short of a full lockdown, but they impose limits on restaurants and other businesses. The strictest rules will apply to places that sell alcohol or offer karaoke. They’ll be asked to close entirely, while many other establishments will close at 8 p.m. The new policies, which carry fines but largely rely on voluntary compliance, go into effect on Sunday and will run through at least May 11.
The Olympic torch relay, which has been making its way around Japan, has been rerouted away from public roads in Osaka, site of the worst spike in new cases. And while statues of the mascots for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have now been officially unveiled, they’re not yet on full public display due to fears about the spread of the coronavirus.
