Japan to extend Covid-19 emergency measures in 18 areas

Japan to extend Covid-19 emergency measures in 18 areas

Osaka, 4 March (Argus) — Japan plans to extend its Covid-19 semi-emergency measures in 18 prefectures by around two weeks until 21 March, while lifting such regulations in 13 prefectures on 6 March as scheduled.

The government is expected to make a formal decision later today to extend the semi-emergency measures in 18 prefectures — including major cities Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka — to 21 March from the previous target date of 6 March.

Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida said yesterday the 18 prefectures are still facing a relatively high rate of hospital bed occupancy despite a slowdown in new infections of the Covid-19 Omicron variant.

But commercial and business activities in the other 13 prefectures — including western major cities Hiroshima and Fukuoka — are expected to return to normal from 6 March, helping to increase energy use such as electricity and transportation fuels. The semi-emergency measures have shortened the opening hours at restaurants and bars, suspended the serving of alcohol, and limited the number of spectators at any event, subject to the prefectural government's decision.