TOKYO >> The government of Japan will extend the state of emergency in the Tokyo region for another two weeks because its medical systems are still overwhelmed by patients with COVID-19, the minister responsible for responding to the virus said today.
“For two more weeks, we will keep the measure in place … so that we can firmly ease tensions over hospitals” to meet the conditions for suspending emergency measures, economic revitalization minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told reporters.
Nishimura said the government had received preliminary approval from experts to extend the emergency until March 21 to Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is expected to formally announce the plan on Friday night, after parliament’s approval.
Nishimura said the region’s medical systems are still overwhelmed with patients with COVID-19 and more hospital beds need to be cleared.
Suga declared a one-month emergency on January 7 for Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba, which was later extended to March 7. An emergency that applied to other city halls was lifted last week, underscoring the government’s anxiety to allow business to return to normal. as soon as possible.
The state of emergency, which is a non-binding request, revolves around asking restaurants, bars and other businesses to voluntarily close at 8pm. Japan has never had a mandatory block, but has managed to keep infections relatively low with social and voluntary detachment. measures.
Suga sought understanding for a two-week extension, he said, the last. “I will do everything I can to prevent the spread of infections and another state of emergency,” Suga said at a session of Parliament.
Experts were divided over whether two weeks would be enough to control infections, as concerns escalate before the cherry blossom season in spring, when many people go out to celebrate.
Controlling the spread of the virus, along with the progress of vaccination, is considered essential for Japan, as Tokyo will host the Olympics, delayed by one year because of the virus, from July 23.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and the heads of neighboring city governments have raised concerns that the end of the emergency this weekend could trigger a rapid recovery from infections.
She raised concerns about the increased activity of people and the crowds that were already forming in the entertainment and business districts in central Tokyo before the cherry blossom season.
Dr. Shigeru Omi, a former regional director of the World Health Organization and head of the COVID-19 government task force, said the Tokyo region is prone to a resurgence and called on authorities to create “a strong system” for avoid a recovery.
New daily cases in Tokyo declined significantly after peaking at around 2,000 in early January, but the decline has slowed recently. Tokyo today reported 278 new cases, slightly down from 316 the previous day, increasing the total to 112,624. Across the country, Japan has reported more than 436,000 cases and about 8,000 deaths to date.