Experts' View On State Of Emergency Due This Week
Japan's minister in charge of coronavirus response has suggested that a panel of experts will meet this week to judge whether a state of emergency can be lifted in the remaining four prefectures, including Tokyo, on March 7.
Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi told reporters on Tuesday that benchmark data are being analyzed every day. He said the government and the four prefectures share the thought that the state of emergency should not be prolonged.
Nishimura suggested that an advisory panel of experts will be convened at an appropriate time this week to consider whether the declaration can end as scheduled on March 7. He said the government wants to monitor data until the last moment, but its decision should not be made too close to the planned date.
The central government lifted a state of emergency for six other prefectures in central and western Japan last Sunday.
Nishimura urged people in those areas to continue exercising vigilance in group dining, warning that infections could resurge to levels in December without due precautions.