Tokyo, 12 Other Areas To Be Under Quasi - Emergency
The Japanese government is set to announce a state of quasi-emergency for coronavirus infections for 13 more prefectures, including Tokyo, to give governors the power to beef up anti-infection measures.
New coronavirus infections topped 30,000 nationwide for the first time on Tuesday, surpassing the previous high of nearly 26,000 in August 2021, when the fifth wave of infections peaked.
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and relevant Cabinet ministers agreed that Tokyo, its three neighboring prefectures, and 9 other prefectures, should be put under a state of quasi-emergency from January 21 through February 13.
Kishida later told reporters that the government will grant governors' requests for quasi-emergency measures, as focused actions are needed to curb infections.
He also said the government will temporarily suspend the program of using vaccine records and proof of negative test results to relax social restrictions. He cited reports that many people are possibly infected with the Omicron variant, even though they have been fully vaccinated.
But he added that prefectural governors can decide individually whether to continue the program.
The government will consult with experts to gain their approval for its decisions, on Wednesday. The decision will be made official after it is reported to the Diet for a question and answer session.
This will bring the number of prefectures under a state of quasi-emergency to 16. Intensive measures are already in place in three prefectures, including Okinawa.
Osaka and its neighboring prefectures have yet to seek the government's approval for a quasi-emergency. But the government is keeping a close watch on infections in the region.
Many young people infected with the Omicron variant are said to have mild or no symptoms for now. But officials are on the alert, as serious cases could increase if the variant spreads among the elderly.