Japan will expand its curbs to seven more prefectures and place ten more under a “quasi-state of emergency.”
Japan remains in crisis due to the prevalence of the Delta variant of the coronavirus. Despite the state of emergency measures in some prefectures, the daily case count continues to show an increasing trend these past few weeks.
The nation’s capital is currently on its fourth emergency lockdown, which is due on August 31. But, considering the continuing surge of infections, officials have since called for another extension.
The announcement emerged on Monday, with the Prime Minister noting that the government will seek the experts’ opinions on the matter. Reports also said that many expect the official statements to arrive on Tuesday.
Developments in the lockdown measures across Japan
Reuters said that the government of Japan will extend the state of emergency lockdown in Tokyo to September 12. This will also apply to the other regions that are observing the same measure.
Apart from the extension, they will expand the curbs, as well, to seven more prefectures. These are Kyoto, Hyogo, Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, and Fukuoka.
Meanwhile, ten other prefectures will start to observe a “less strict” measure, or the “quasi-state of emergency.” This is reportedly for expanding the coverage across the country.
The ten prefectures are Miyagi, Toyama, Gifu, Yamanashi, Okayama, Kagawa, Mie, Hiroshima, Kagoshima, and Ehime.
A continuing surge in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations
The calls for the expansion and extension of the COVID-19 measures come as the daily case count remains in an increasing trend. In Tokyo, officials recorded 2,962 new infections on Monday, a decrease from the 5,773 cases last Friday.
Officials and experts have also seen the same movement in the number of hospitalizations due to the highly infectious Delta variant. The health ministry of Japan reported about 1,646 patients with “serious symptoms” on Monday alone. These include those patients in intensive care units, as well as those on respirators for life support.
Kyodo News said that it marks a record high for the fifth straight day.
The scope of state of emergency and “quasi-emergency” measures
Restaurants and bars serving alcohol are shut under a COVID-19 state of emergency. As for the establishments that do not serve liquor, the measures only allow them to open until 8 in the evening.
Stores and shops in the prefectures under a quasi-state of emergency are also asked to cut opening hours. But, those that take anti-virus steps may still reportedly serve alcohol until 7 p.m., “in accordance with governors’ decisions.”
On Monday, the overall number of cases across Japan hit 14,854. As reported, the figure is 2,700 higher than last week’s.
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