Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has declared a month-long state of emergency in various cities and prefectures as part of its measures against coronavirus disease (COVID-19), The National reported.
The state of emergency was declared in Tokyo, Osaka, Saitama, Kanagawa, Chiba, Hyogo, and Fukuoka.
The declaration comes as Japan faces a new wave of cases, with over 1,000 confirmed in the metropolitan region consisting of 14 million residents. All over the country, there are now 3,906 confirmed cases and 92 deaths.
In addition, medical workers claim that there is now a shortage of hospital beds, and that the blowing cases may push Tokyo’s medical system to collapse.
Following the declaration, residents under these areas are requested to stay at home, as well as cut contact with others by 70 to 80 percent for a month. However, violators will not be penalized.
