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Bloomberg
Japanese PM Shinzo Abe declared an emergency for Tokyo and its surrounding regions, after a recent surge in the
number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the metropolis sparked alarm.
The one-month emergency period from April 7 will cover Osaka, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Hyogo and Fukuoka prefectures as well as the capital. The move hands powers to local governments to try to contain the spread of the virus that causes Covid-19, including by urging residents to stay at home. Abe made the announcement at a meeting of his coronavirus task force, one of the procedural steps towards putting the decision into effect. He is expected to give more details at a 7:00 pm news conference.
“According to experts’ calculations, if all of us make efforts to reduce contact between people by at least 70% and if possible 80%, then in two weeks the increase in infections will peak out and we can start to
reduce it,†Abe said.
The PM called on people to cooperate fully and avoid going out, adding he will lift the measure quickly when it’s no longer needed. An emergency declaration enables local officials to take measures such as ordering the cancellation of events, restricting use of facilities such as schools and movie theatres and appropriating land or buildings for temporary medical facilities.