Japan: Tokyo reports 2nd day of record-high infections

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - Japan on Friday announced record-high numbers of the novel coronavirus cases in its capital Tokyo bringing total infections to over 7,000 in the metropolis, local media reported.

Health authorities confirmed 243 new cases in Tokyo, in a second consecutive day with more than 200 cases reported in the city, Kyodo news reported.

At least 224 cases had been reported a day earlier.

The city has recorded over a third of the country's total cases which stand at 21,425.

More than 438,166 people have been tested for the coronavirus.

Despite rising infections by the virus which has killed 982 people in the country, Japan has allowed up to 5,000 people to attend sporting and other events.

The Japanese government will also begin negotiations with around 10 countries and regions including China, South Korea and Taiwan next week on easing travel restrictions.

- South Korea: All arrivals must show 'negative test result'

With increasing imported cases of COVID-19, South Korea on Friday made it mandatory for all foreign arrivals to submit certificates with a negative test result.

There are 1,791 imported cases in the country, most of whom are South Korean nationals.

Travelers to South Korea will have to produce the certificate within 48 hours, proving they have tested negative for the coronavirus, the local Yonhap news agency reported.

It has also made mandatory that the certificates must be issued from medical institutions and testing centers "chosen by South Korean diplomatic missions."

The country's health authorities reported 45 more cases on Friday, including 22 local infections, with the rest imported.

"As COVID-19 continues to spread around the globe, there has been an increase in the number of imported cases," said Yoon Tae-ho, a senior health official.

There have been 13,338 COVID-19 cases in the country, including 288 who have died due to the infection.

South Korea has conducted over 1.3 million tests for the virus.