Japan set to extend state of emergency
Japan is set to extend a state of emergency for another month as it struggles to contain Covid cases across the country.
Kyodo News reports Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will extend the state of emergency even though the total number of cases is very slowly falling.
However, the government believes it is still too high, and harsh measures are still required.
Suga will extend the emergency until 7 March in Tokyo and several other prefectures.
Tochigi prefecture will now be exempt as it has seen a sharp decrease in cases in the past few weeks.
Parliament this week approved more stringent measures to fine bars and restaurants that violate health and capacity protocols and hours of operation.
A recent survey by Nikkei and TV Tokyo shows there is widespread support of 90% for extending the state of emergency.
"We can see that the state of emergency has had an impact, but it’s been too weak," Dr Yoshihito Niki, an infectious diseases expert at Showa University’s School of Medicine told Bloomberg.
"The government will need to exercise patience at least through February."
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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