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Japan’s capital Tokyo and three nearby prefectures on Saturday called on the national government to declare a state of emergency to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
“In the name of respect for life, we made this request together,” Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said after meeting for three hours on Saturday with the minister in charge of measures against COVID-19, along with the governors. from Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa.
Japan has recently seen an increase in the number of coronavirus cases, especially in urban areas. Tokyo broke its daily record of infections with 1,337 new patients on New Year’s Eve.
There is also increasing concern about the organization of the Olympic Games, delayed until July, which will see the entry of 11,000 athletes, in addition to thousands of officials and reporters, to the country.
“The coronavirus does not know about calendars,” Koike said, referring to concerns about the increase in infections during the New Year holidays. “Hospitals are filling up, affecting health care for everyone.”
The ministry explained that, although the two parties agreed that the situation was critical, it will consult experts before making any decisions.
Japan has not declared a quarantine during the pandemic, juggling the need to keep the economy running and health risks. The warnings it has issued do not carry penalties.
Mixed messages from the government of Japan
The government has also sent contradictory messages with a discount campaign to encourage national tourism, which was later suspended.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has been criticized for what some see as mismanagement of the pandemic. So far, Japan has recorded more than 3,500 coronavirus-related deaths.
For its part, South Korea will extend strict social distancing measures for two more weeks to curb the increase in infections, and confirmed the first cases of an apparently more contagious variant of COVID-19 detected in South Africa.
Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol explained that the second highest level of restrictions, “Level 2.5”, will remain in effect in the capital Seoul metropolitan area until January 17. Other zones will have third-level restrictions until then.
South Korea reported 824 new cases, bringing the national total to 62,593, with 942 deaths. It was the first time since December 28 that the country was below 800 daily infections. The Seoul region is at the center of the outbreak, with around 70% of cases.
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