State Of Emergency Extension Decision On Friday
The Japanese government is expected to decide on Friday to extend the coronavirus state of emergency for the Greater Tokyo area by two weeks until March 21.
The current state of emergency for Tokyo and three of its neighboring prefectures --- Kanagawa, Saitama, and Chiba --- is due to expire this Sunday.
Officials have been analyzing the infection status and the strain on the healthcare systems in those prefectures. They have determined that hospital bed occupancy rates in the area need to be lowered further.
Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide told a Diet committee meeting on Thursday he believes that a two-week extension would help improve the situation significantly.
Suga said that cooperation from the public for two more weeks would lead to controlling the virus infections.
The government will ask an advisory panel of experts to discuss its two-week extension plan on Friday.
If the panel approves the plan, it will be debated at the Diet before a final decision is made at the government's coronavirus taskforce meeting.