Cases In Japan Continue To Trend Upward
The number of coronavirus cases in Japan continues to trend upward. Tokyo has recorded the highest daily count since the second state of emergency ended there in March. Osaka Prefecture has reported a new peak.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported 570 new cases on Saturday. That number is up 124 from the figure confirmed one week ago.
Health authorities in Osaka reported more than 900 new infections. Over 3,600 new cases were reported on Saturday across Japan.
Tighter anti-virus measures will soon be in force across six prefectures. They are scheduled to begin from Monday in parts of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Okinawa.
The new measures are expected to remain in place for about a month in limited areas.
Governors will ask bars and restaurants to close by 8 p.m. Residents will be urged to refrain from unnecessary travel outside their prefectures.
The stricter measures are being implemented before a week-long holiday that starts in late April.
Tokyo's governor is calling on people to hold off on taking trips.
Koike Yuriko said, "We're facing a threat of the N501Y variant virus, which is highly infectious. We want everyone to be aware that we are now in a critical situation."
The Tokyo government is also preparing to launch an effort to oversee the implementation of the measures. Officials plan to inspect about 120,000 restaurants and other establishments.