Coronavirus: Japan extends state of emergency and …

Japan to extend state of emergency to seven more cities, ban foreign citizens from entering the country in the face of the alarming increase in coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga reported.

Last week, a state of emergency was declared in Tokyo and the neighboring cities of Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa, which will last until February 7. With this new announcement, the measure extends to Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Aichi, Gifu, Tochigi and Fukuoka, covering much of the main island of Honshu in Japan.

The state of emergency orders companies to encourage their staff to work from home and to reduce office occupancy rates by 70%.

Residents of affected areas are also urged to avoid non-essential outings, and restaurants are to close at 8 p.m. It also establishes that sporting and entertainment events must limit the number of participants.

“I hope people understand that this is a necessary step to improve this difficult situation.. We will do whatever we have to do. I apologize for the inconvenience caused in his life by so many restrictions, but we have to overcome this, ”Suga said at a press conference. And asked for the cooperation of the people: “I would like to ask for the cooperation of the people,” he said.

Another of the measures adopted by the Japanese government, in the face of the increase in Covid-19 cases in the country, is the temporary ban on the entry of all foreign citizens into the country.

In this regard, Suga explained that the rule that allowed entry for business travelers from 11 previously designated countries and regions is suspended.

The decision was made after Japanese health authorities detected a new variant of Covid-19, which would be different from those detected in the United Kingdom and South Africa, found in several people who returned to the country at the beginning of the month from Brazil. The situation triggered alarms due to a possible spread throughout the country.

During the last day, Coronavirus cases in Japan have surpassed 300,000, while the death toll has reached 4,187.

Toshio Nakagawa, president of the Japanese Medical Association, said the government should consider a nationwide state of emergency as an “option” to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus and ease the strain on the medical system.