Japan aims to expand ‘COVID-19 emergency situation’ covers other 7 provinces

Japanese government prepares to expand emergency situation of COVID-19 To cover an additional 7 prefectures, including large cities such as Osaka and Kyoto Among the soaring numbers of infected people across the country

Japan has few cumulative cases compared to many other countries. And there are only 4,100 deaths from COVID-19, but the number of new cases promising soaring in the winter, prompting doctors to warn. Hospitals in areas with severe epidemics risk being unable to accommodate patients.

Last week The Japanese government has announced a state of emergency covering the area of ​​Tokyo and the other three neighboring provinces. But Japan’s approach is not the same as the intensive lockdown in other countries. There are also no penalties for violators.

The authorities have asked restaurant and bar operators to close at 8 p.m. and encourage the public to avoid unnecessarily leaving their homes. Including encouraging employees to work from home

“We would like to see the number of daily cases down by Feb.7, by any means,” said COVID-19 response minister Yasutoshi Nishimura. Referring to the time when the 1 month emergency situation will end

Seven provinces that Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is expected to declare as emergency sites by the evening (13) are Osaka, Aichi, Kyoto, Gifu, Fukuoka, Hyogo and Tochigi, which will put 11 of Japan’s 47 prefectures in an emergency It represents approximately 60% of GDP of the entire country.

Even though the state of emergency law does not have a mechanism to govern But the Japanese government plans to enact a law to punish operators who violate orders to cut working hours or temporarily shut down their services. Including incentive measures for entrepreneurs to cooperate

The latest crisis comes about six months before Tokyo hosts the Olympic Games, while Prime Minister Suga insists on not canceling or postponing the race. Although a survey indicates that the Japanese are opposed to organizing sports events that could cause COVID-19. Heavy spread

Source: AFP

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