[ad_1]
TOKYO: Japan’s capital Tokyo began its first day under a coronavirus state of emergency on Friday (January 8) with much of life as usual, including morning commuter trains carrying crowds of people wearing masks. in the busy stations.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga reiterated his request that restaurants reduce business hours and that people work from home.
“We take this very seriously. Of course, I would like to overcome this difficult situation with the cooperation of the people,” Suga told reporters.
READ: Japanese Prime Minister Suga declares COVID-19 state of emergency in Tokyo area
The emergency runs until February 7. The statement asks restaurants and bars to close before 8 pm while drinks will not be served after 7 pm.
It applies to Tokyo and the three surrounding prefectures of Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa.
Travelers wearing a mask make their way during a rush hour on Friday, January 8, 2021, in Tokyo. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared a state of emergency for Tokyo and three other prefectures on Thursday to increase defenses against the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo / Eugene Hoshiko)
Nationwide, confirmed COVID-19 cases have reached 260,000, with more than 7,500 new cases reported on Friday.
“The infection is the highest in all regions of the nation,” Suga said.
Suga has promised legal reviews, including authorizing sanctions and other measures to add more force to the requests. They will be studied in parliament later this month.
READ: COVID-19 pandemic overshadows Japan’s New Year’s tuna auction
Some companies in Japan have resisted working remotely, and the state of emergency can help workers assert their wishes to stay home.
But much of life will remain the same, with schools, sporting events, stores and cinemas open, but with social distancing measures and the use of masks. The crowds are expected to decrease at night.
The previous emergency, declared last April and May, although broader in scope and area, had some effect on reducing the spread of COVID-19.
The number of daily cases in Tokyo has been increasing, reaching a daily record of 2,447 on Thursday. The goal is to reduce them to 500, according to officials.
Like many other Tokyo residents, Kazue Kuramitsu was already pessimistic about how long it would take for things to return to normal.
“As of today, we are basically in a battle for a month. But I don’t think the spread will stop, ”he said.
CHECK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
