Japan is preparing to lift all emergency measures related to the coronavirus once they expire this week, as the number of infections drops and the country tries to reactivate its economy.
Officials in charge of coronavirus measures sought the advice of experts during a meeting on Tuesday, with some of them speaking in favor of – first – partially lifting the restrictions. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is expected to announce the end of the emergency measures and release subsequent plans in the next few hours.
In the event that all restrictions are lifted, Japan will have no emergency requirements for the first time since April. Government officials prepare plans for the relaxed restrictions, with the institution of other plans, such as vaccination passports and diagnostic tests.
The state of emergency and other measures in the 27 prefectures expire at the end of September. Some experts want the state of emergency to be initially relaxed to a quasi-emergency in 19 zones to ensure there is no rapid spike in infections, and the government is reportedly considering such a strategy.
The emergency, broadly speaking, focuses on requiring bars and restaurants to be open less time and do not serve alcohol. The governors of Osaka, Hyogo and Kyoto have said they plan to maintain those requirements while closely monitoring the virus situation.
Japan is eager to increase its social and economic activities as it tries to balance them with the need to avoid a new wave of cases. The government, which is in transition as the ruling party chooses a replacement for Suga in the coming days, is under pressure to maintain effective strategies against the coronavirus ahead of parliamentary elections, two months from now.
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