Japan has now declared a state of emergency in Tokyo, and its three neighboring prefectures on Thursday, following its highest recorded daily count.
Japan has now declared a state of emergency in Tokyo, and its three neighboring prefectures on Thursday, following its highest recorded daily count.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has placed Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama under a month-long emergency state starting Friday, which will limit movement and impose curfews.
The prime minister expressed alarm over the surge in cases and concerns over hospitals nearly reaching full capacity.
Suga said, “I’ve decided to declare this state of emergency to prevent the virus from spreading at all cost and ensure the number of new cases is brought down.”
New measures would include closing nonessential shops at 8 pm, especially restaurants and bars. Businesses are also asked to reduce their office workers by 70% and have their employees work from home instead.
On Thursday, Tokyo reached a record 2,447 additional cases bringing Japan’s total to 267,065.
