State of emergency in Tokyo set to be extended over high COVID-19 rates

The Japanese Government is expected to extend the state of emergency in Tokyo and 10 other prefectures where the coronavirus infection rate remains high until March 7.

Tougher restrictions came into force in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba on January 7 in a bid to curb surging COVID-19 cases.

A total of 11 of Japan’s 47 prefectures have now been placed under a state of emergency, which would have expired on February 7 but is due to be formally extended tomorrow.

Tokyo recorded its lowest daily figure in more than a month as cases dropped from 633 yesterday to 393 today, but it's January total of more than 40,000 was double the previous monthly high.

Government officials have told Japanese news agency Kyodo News that Tokyo is highly likely to stay under the state of emergency.

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Article written by: Geoff Berkeley