Japan declares state of emergency in Tokyo over virus spike

Set to be effective until Feb. 7, it is 2nd time Japan imposes emergency to curb COVID-19 infections

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – Japan on Thursday declared a state of emergency in the capital Tokyo and three other provinces amid rising coronavirus infections.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced the decision hours after Tokyo reported 2,447 infections today – biggest daily spike in infections since the outbreak began in the country on Jan. 16, 2020, Kyodo News reported.

The state of emergency which empowers provincial governors to order citizens to stay home and restrict timing at eateries will be in effect until Feb. 7.

It is the second time that Japan has declared state of emergency to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Earlier, the state of emergency was imposed in April until May last year.

Japan has reported over 253,000 infections including over 3,600 deaths since the outbreak.

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