Omi Warns Of A Possible State Of Emergency
Tokyo is set to introduce stricter measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus. But the chief expert of a government panel has warned that if they don't work, another state of emergency may become necessary.
Omi Shigeru spoke at a meeting of the Lower House health and welfare committee on Friday. He said Tokyo is now in Stage Three -- the second highest on the government's four-tiered scale.
Omi warned that the Japanese capital may approach the worst level of Stage Four if the stricter counter-measures are ineffective, citizens fail to heed calls for restraint, and nighttime foot traffic does not decrease.
Omi said that once that happens, a state of emergency will have to be considered.
He pointed out that the speed of infection growth and the availability of medical resources must be scrutinized, and if the former is to outpace the latter, an extremely tough decision will be necessary. He added that the public must understand that the situation is critical.
Omi stressed the importance of minimizing person-to-person contact with or without an emergency declaration. He said people need to change their behavior as the infection situation has entered a new phase.