(ANSA) - TOKYO, 04 MAR - The hypotheses of an extension of the state of emergency for another two weeks, in Tokyo and in three neighboring prefectures, are strengthened, beyond the deadline of 7 March.
This is confirmed by several sources of the executive to the Medianpponians, explaining that the governors of Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama, in addition to the governor of the capital, Yuriko Koike, agree that the descent of coronavirus infections has suffered a stalemate in recent days and an opening could create a new rise in infections.
On February 28, the government anticipated the end of the emergency by a week in 6 other prefectures, including Kyoto, Osaka and Fukuoka, but according to sources, the governors of the Tokyo metropolitan area expressed pessimism for a decision similar to these conditions.
The state of emergency in Tokyo went into effect on January 7, and was extended by another month on February 7.
In detail, the metropolitan government has set among its objectives a weekly reduction of 70% on average compared to the previous seven days, while the prefecture of Saitama, in the north of the capital, still presents a critical situation in hospital admissions.
According to the indications of the state of emergency, which is not equivalent to the lockdown on the European style, the Japanese authorities urge citizens to reduce the exits only for essential services, and the prefectures ask restaurants, ekaraoke bars to stop the sale of alcohol from 19, anticipating it business closes at 8 pm. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Tokyo has recorded 112,345 cases of Covid, with 1,419 confirmed deaths.
(HANDLE).